The former chief of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) was arrested for alleged sexual harassment.
The intelligence unit of the Cebu Police Provincial Office served the warrant on Byron Garcia afternoon on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
Garcia, 66, is the brother of former Cebu governor Gwendolyn Garcia and was Capitol consultant on security matters during his sister’s time in office.
The Municipal Trial Court in Mandaue City issued the warrant against for alleged violation of Section 12 of Republic Act 11313 or Safe Spaces Act or the ‘Anti-Bastos Law’ for gender-based sexual harassment.
The law penalizes gender-based sexual harassment in streets, public spaces, workplaces, educational institutions, and online environments.
Garcia was arrested at the Talisay City Fish Port.
The court allowed Garcia to post a bail at P108,000 but Garcia was unable to do so since he was arrested after office hours. The following day, Independence Day, is also a holiday.
As of this writing, he is detained at the Talisay City Police detention cell. He is set to post bail on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
RECOMMENDATION TO CHARGE
The complaint against Garcia was filed by Dr. Elisse Nicole Catalan, the daughter of Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro.
The Mandaue City Prosecutor’s Office, which resolved Catalan’s complaint, said elements were established sufficiently to support the filing of charges in court.
These elements include:
- The offensive statements were made through Facebook posts and uploaded videos, constituting clearly the use of an online platform
- The remarks contained body-shaming language, sexist ridicule, and degrading references to complainant’s physical attributes
- The statements were directed at the complainant who was named specificially and who could be identified clearly in the online posts
- Complainant testified credibly that she suffered humiliation, anxiety, emotional distress, and fear of further harassment, particularly because the posts were accessible publicly and invited similar abusive remarks.
In a social media post, Catalan said she filed the complaint to show that no one is above the law and that all people must be accorded respect in all platforms.
She wrote online on June 12, 2026, Independence Day:
“Today, on Independence Day, I am reminded that true freedom includes the freedom to live and participate in society without fear of harassment, humiliation, or intimidation.”
