Jail guard hanky-panky

Jail security is quite lousy these days. One only has to look at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) for evidence to support this observation.

Charges have been filed against jail guard Antonieto Babor for allegedly hauling 35 sacks of rice from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office without delivering them to the Capitol as he previously claimed. About three sacks of rice were found in Babor’s home.

The Cebu City Jail which recently had a new warden named Supt. Maria Victoria Jimenez had better luck since they confiscated 125 sachets of methamphetamine hydrochloride locally known as shabu or ice from some of the inmates detained there.

The sacks of rice are the subject of an Ombudsman’s investigation following another by the Capitol. Procedural lapses have been observed, starting with whether or not there were papers presented to justify procurement of the rice sacks.

Inmates were also tapped to haul the sacks to the vehicle driven by Babor for delivery of the rice to an army officer at the Ecotech Center in barangay Lahug, Cebu City whom he was unable to identify.

He did, however, identify the person who requested the delivery as a certain Wilson Ramos, whoever he is. Based on his account, Babor lied when he was quoted as telling jail guards that he would deliver the sacks of rice to the Capitol.

One thing is clear, he was just the minor beneficiary judging by the presence of the three sacks of rice in his home unless he was paid a nice sum for his effort. The theft of these sacks of rice also casts into question the Capitol’s management not only of its own jail personnel, but also the procedural steps to avoid questionable procurement of aid from the PSWDO.

It appeared that social welfare officers failed to double-check on Babor’s claims that the rice was supposed to be delivered to the Capitol. As a recipient of Capitol funds for rice and other assistance, their office simply can’t afford to be careless, unless there is some hanky-panky going on that we don’t know.

The CPDRC also had to answer for its negligence in allowing Babor not only to deliver rice sacks which should be done by other Capitol employees, but to use inmates to load the vehicle driven by the jail guard. As if they’re not kept busy enough rehearsing for periodic dance performances as commanded by the Capitol.

Either way, it’s not just Babor but the offices involved who would be held accountable for this theft. Also, would it be too much to expect Capitol to recover the lost sacks of rice and charge those behind this crime rather than chucking this embarrassing episode to experience?