Jail officer confirms high profile inmates went out of jail but...
A senior security officer of the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (IRC) yesterday confirmed the three inmates considered as "high profile" at the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (IRC) went out of jail first week of November, the same time intelligence personnel spotted alleged kidnap for ransom group (KFR) in a subdivision in La Paz.
But Senior Security 3 Jimmy Almendros said the inmates were only out to attend their respective hearings at the Ramon Q. Avanceña Hall of Justice in Iloilo City.
Almendros confirmed Jonathan Poblacion went out of the IRC last November 4 since he has a hearing for the kidnapping of Jefferson Tan before Branch 30 of the Iloilo regional trial court. The hearing was held 8:30 in the morning at the sala of Judge Adrian Savillo.
Almendros likewise confirmed inmate Roger Palma went out of the IRC on the same day, November 4 since he has a hearing at the sala of Judge Rene Hortillo, Branch 31, for illegal possession of firearms case. The hearing was also held in the morning. The illegal possession of firearms is only one of the cases filed against Palma.
The names of the two inmates were contained in a raw intelligence report. The information said the Poblacion brothers along with Palma were sighted in one of the subdivisions in Lapaz. Reportedly, they are planning and tailing a possible kidnap for ransom target.
The cases filed against Poblacion and Palma are non-bailable. They could not just go out of jail without a subpoena from the court.
Almendros said it is impossible for them to be seen in one of the subdivisions in La Paz. Though, Almendros admitted the IRC marked vehicles passed by the Gaisano and La Granja routes, in La Paz.
Only one of the Poblacion brothers, Jonathan, is detained at the IRC. Almendros had no idea on who is the other Poblacion brother referred to in the intelligence report. The hearings on the number of cases filed against Poblacion and Palma are still ongoing.
Almendros stressed maximum security measures are set up when the said inmates leave the IRC for their respective hearings. Inmates are individually handcuffed by the jail officers who are designated as security officers.
The inmates are transported from the IRC to the city using marked vehicles. They are also wearing their orange colored shirts.
It is impossible that they could divert their way without being noticed, said Almendros.
Almendros added, the inmates could not go home or pass by their homes after or before their hearings.
They have to go directly to the Hall of Justice and return to the IRC after the hearing. The routes are specific, from the IRC to the Iloilo Hall of Justice vice versa, said Almendros.