Robredo Suspends Ampatuan Jail Warden

MANILA, Philippines (May 27, 2011) - Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo today relieved the jail warden of the Quezon City jail annex in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City over the alleged special treatment given to Maguindanao massacre suspect Andal Ampatuan Sr.

Robredo ordered the administrative relief of Jail Warden Glennford Valdepeñas as he directed Bureau of Jail Management and Penology chief Rosendo Dial to investigate allegations that Ampatuan Sr. is receiving a VIP treatment at the jail compound.

He said that the department will do a "verification of the pictures/ video and their dates to determine if the Ampatuans have been given privileges beyond what are allowed."

"If allegations are true, immediate disciplinary actions will be imposed and replacement of personnel in Bicutan (will be implemented)," the secretary said.

Robredo has already set a meeting with Maguindanao Gov. Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu and private prosecutor Harry Roque where he will be presented with the pieces of evidence to back up their claims of VIP treatment.

Mangudadatu yesterday showed journalists covering the Maguindanao massacre trial several pictures where Ampatuan Sr. was seen outside his detention cell at Camp Bagong Diwa. (Watch video here)

The governor also showed a photo of Ampatuan Sr. using a mobile phone while seated on a chair outside his cell. A photo also showed the former Maguindanao governor in the company of at least 10 guests, which is more than the usual number of allowed guests in the jail facility.

Roque had also claimed that three of his colleagues allegedly saw Ampatuan Sr. eating at a posh hotel in Pasay City.

Ampatuan Sr. has been tagged as the mastermind in the gruesome massacre of 57 people, including several journalists and relatives of Manguddatu, in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao last Nov. 23, 2009.

Aside from Ampatuan clan patriarch, detained at Camp Bagong Diwa jail are former Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., former ARMM governor Rizaldy Ampatuan, Anwar Ampatuan, Akmad Ampatuan and Sajid Ampatuan.

P-Noy informed of Camp Bagong Diwa incident

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement that President Benigno Aquino III, who was in Thailand, has been informed of the supposed VIP treatment of Ampatuan Sr.

“Reports that certain personalities who are supposed to be in jail are receiving special treatment have already reached President Aquino,” Lacierda announced.

He said President Aquino ordered concerned officials to hold accountable those who will be found guilty of the allegations.

“What the government can assure the public is that the scales of justice will not be tipped over to one side or another,” Lacierda said.

Meanwhile, the presidential spokesperson said that President Aquino recognizes that there is a need to reform the state of prisons in the country.

Before Mangudadatu came out with his allegations amid the Department of Justice’s investigation on the escape of convicted former Batangas governor Antonio Leviste outside of the National Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City.

Leviste was arrested by government agents after exiting the prison compound without authorization from jail officials.

“The President also recognizes the state of prisons in the country, and acknowledges that steps need to be taken, especially as regards the ratio of guards to prisoners, and congestion due to lack of facilities,” Lacierda said.

He added that President Aquino has also issued directives Robredo, De Lima and his team of economic managers to come up with an inventory of proposals to reform the prison system in the country.