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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Avecilla column puts entire QC jail in bad light

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This is about an article entitled “Sex scandal at QC Jail” written by Victor Avecilla, published in your broadsheet’s opinion page on April 01.

The article discussed issues about the admission of the undersigned that some of the detainees in his custody engage in male-to-male sex and that some of the detainees in his custody have tested positive for the deadly human immuno deficiency syndrome virus or HIV. The undersigned wishes to clarify the facts.

The title of the article is inappropriate as it puts the whole Quezon City Jail in a bad light, therefore, overshadowing the efforts we have done to wipe away the wrong notion of the public towards those behind bars. The author may have missed some of the facts and the context of the current situation of our jail.

The Department of Health has long conducted the distribution of condom through Bernardo Health Center and Social Hygiene Clinic, Quezon City since the year 2007 after cases of multi-drug resistant inmates were found, and thus prompted the QCJ-MD management to tie-up with the Department of Health. Per data available, only one inmate was found to be infected with the fatal virus (HIV) based on tests conducted by health workers from Bernardo Health Center. The distribution of condom, therefore, is a vital component of the said program alongside with the information drive for the awareness of the inmates. Inmates’ welfare, specifically relating to health issues are handled responsively in QCJ-MD.

In relation to the congestion of inmates cited in the article, we would also like to state the current developments of the proposed transfer of Quezon City Jail which was duly assisted by the City Government of this locality. The LGU procured a 2.4 hectare of land situated in Payatas, Quezon City for the proposed transfer of Quezon City Jail in 2016. After that, a workshop involving different stakeholders concerned in taking part in the planning process for the jail design. The detailed design of the jail, as well as the initial construction is expected to start this year.

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Quezon City Jail Management gives primacy to the mandate of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology which is safekeeping and development. We continuously give our best efforts to help address the plight of our inmates particularly on their wellness and essential needs.

RANDEL H. LATOZA, MNSA
Jail Superintendent
City Jail Warden
Quezon City Jail – Male Warden

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