The Bohol District Jail warden has expressed concern over possible recruitment of BDJ inmates into the New People’s Army (NPA) as one of the rebel group’s alleged high-ranking officials is detained in the facility.
BDJ warder Chief Insp. Felipe Montejo was referring to high-profile inmate Rustico “Paking” Tan who was committed to the district jail as he faces multiple murder-related charges before a Tagbilaran court.
According to Montejo, detainees such as Tan, also a former priest, should be separated from the other inmates to prevent NPA recruitment inside the facility.
“Posibli na siya nga maka recruit ug mga piniriso, kay kung hinay gyud ug baruganan ang usa ka tao posibli nga madani, ilabi na nga pari siya,” said Montejo.
However, the BDJ remains congested and in need of more cells leaving jail officials no choice but to detain Tan along with other high-profile inmates.
“Angay jud unta nga naa na silay selda nag lahi aron malikayan ang mga ing-ana nga sitwasyon,” Montejo said.
Meanwhile, the BDJ is set for expansion which is expected to start before the year ends.
A total of ten large jail cells will be added, said Montejo who noted that he will be pushing for the construction of separate spaces for inmates like Tan.
Tan was transferred to the BDJ on Monday last week after he was arrested in Santander, Cebu on November 9 by virtue of 14 arrest warrants for multiple murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder cases
In earlier statements to media, Tan’s family denied accusations that Rustico has had involvement with guerrilla movement in the region.
READ: Where is ‘high-ranking NPA leader’ Rustico Tan?
Phoebe Sanchez, an associate professor of history and sociology at the University of the Philippines Cebu and a human rights advocate, also told Cebu Daily News that Tan was never connected with any rebel group.
READ: Groundbreaking held for expansion project of congested BDJ
He was merely a peace negotiator during the 1980s, Sanchez said. (Allen Doydora)