CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Pampanga Provincial Administrator Attorney Andres S. Pangilinan, Jr. on Tuesday conducted a surprise inspection inside Pampanga Provincial Jail (PPJ) in connection with some complaints received by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) against some inmates, and the implementation of restrictions inside the jail.
Pangilinan said the surprise inspection was made after receiving a letter from Executive Judge Mary Anne P. Padron-Rivera of the Third Judicial Region, proposing to look into reports of illegal gambling through billiards and pool games and the overpriced mini-store inside the facility.
Together with Provincial Warden Edwin Mangiliman and some department heads, the administrator led the conduct of inspection where he immediately ordered the removal of billiard and pool tables and other paraphernalia.
He also ordered the closure of the mini-store and vowed to monitor the implementation of his directive.
“We want to avoid complications in the future — that is why we ordered the removal of pool and billiard tables. We fear that the ‘tako’ might be used as a weapon in case a riot breaks out inside,’’ he said.
He said there are other recreational activities such as basketball and some board games for the inmates to enjoy.
Moreover, Pangilinan disclosed that Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda is seeking for solutions to expand the jail’s capacity, which is housing 2, 146 inmates as of May 2017.
He added that the government is also putting up efforts to give more humane treatment for the inmates of PPJ.
“Hopefully, we can find ways to give them better food rations, security, and treatment. We also do regular medical missions for their health,” he said.
The Provincial government is doing its quarterly inspections in PPJ to check the implementation of its policies and to avoid irregularities to maintain equality of treatment among inmates.
PHILIP OCAMPO
