BJMP: QC Jail ready, equipped for possible Rodante Marcoleta transfer

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said its New Quezon City Jail in Payatas is ready and medically equipped to receive Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who is being treated for pneumonia at the PNP General Hospital.

“Una ho, basta ho may court order na iyan at dadalhin ho talaga sa amin, tatanggapin ho namin yan,” BJMP Spokesperson J/Supt. Jayrex Joseph Bustinera said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview on Sunday.

(First of all, as long as there is a court order and he is officially transferred to our custody, we will receive him.)

“Pangalawa po, ang BJMP po talaga, ‘yan naman ho ang trabaho namin at napaghandaan ho namin ‘yang mga ganyang bagay—hindi lang po sa Payatas, pati sa ibang piitan po namin ay may mga ganyang demographics at kakayahan ang BJMP,” Bustinera added.

(Second, this is exactly the BJMP's mandate, and we have prepared for these types of situations. It is not just in Payatas; our other jail facilities also handle similar demographics and possess the same capabilities.)

According to Bustinera, the Quezon City Jail layout features a centrally located, fully staffed infirmary with in-house doctors and nurses, and diagnostic laboratories equipped to manage communicable diseases.

Marcoleta was arrested for a P75-million plunder case over his undeclared campaign donations. He was arrested at the Sandiganbayan last July 6.

Two days after his arrest, the PNPGH diagnosed Marcoleta with mild pneumonia and degenerative disc disease.

Payatas jail setup

Bustinera described the Quezon City jail cells as measuring 50 square meters, with two electric fans, five double-deck beds, and two bathrooms. Designed to house up to 10 inmates, each cell provides an average living space of 4.7 square meters per individual.

The New Quezon City Jail in Payatas has an ideal capacity of 4,000 and currently houses around 3,300 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs), according to Bustinera.

According to Bustinera, high-profile PDLs are detained with the general population, but are classified according to their case.

“Nakahiwalay po, halimbawa, ‘yung mga hindi nakapag-aral para sa kanilang ALS (Alternative Learning System) program, may iisa lang din ang mga wing nila o floor nila,” Bustinera said.

(For instance, those who have not finished their education are detained near each other for their Alternative Learning System (ALS) program, and they share a single wing or floor.)

“For example ho, nakahiwalay ho ‘yung sa flood control natin na mga personalities, at ito ay located sa isang wing… Ngayon po ito pong mga former senators at senators natin dito naman ho sila sa isang wing din ho, kasama rin ho ang ibang general population,” he added.

(For example, individuals linked to the flood control cases are separated and located in one wing... Currently, our current and former senators are also housed in a single wing, along with the rest of the general population.)

The cells of detained current and former senators are near the infirmary and the lawyers' lounge, Bustinera said.

The BJMP assured the public that even during the rainy season, PDLs would still have access to indoor activities, with each cell block having access to an indoor activity area and a library, and inmates being allowed scheduled visitors.

No VIP treatment

Despite housing high-profile PDLs, the BJMP maintained that they will receive no preferential treatment and will be handled exactly like the rest of the jail population.

“Unang-una po, hindi lang ho polisiya kundi ipinag-utos ho ng aming secretary, Secretary Jonvic Remulla, ang pantay-pantay na pagtrato sa lahat ng PDLs, walang VIP treatment,” Bustinera said.

(First and foremost, it is not just a policy, but a direct directive from our secretary, Secretary Jonvic Remulla, to ensure equal treatment for all PDLs, with absolutely no VIP treatment.)

“Pangalawa ho, makikita naman ho natin ang disenyo ho talaga ng BJMP rin, hindi ho ‘yan VIP treatment kundi para sa makataong pamamahala ng piitan talaga ‘yan,” he added.

(Secondly, we can see that this is really the BJMP's design; that is not VIP treatment, but rather it is truly for the humane management inside the jail.)

Bustinera clarified that the New Quezon City Jail’s facilities had been designed many years before, addressing fake news claiming that it was built specifically for high-profile inmates. —RF, GMA News