Iwahig chief denies fighting among jail officers

Iwahig Corrections Facility (ICF) chief, Superintendent Raul Levita denied the reported clubbing and shooting incident that happened on Sunday morning inside the compound  which purportedly involved BJMP personnel from Manila headed by JO1 Jayferson Bon-As and CO2 Ritchie Canja of BuCor.

Levita told the media that there is a misunderstanding and a gun was fired for a warning shot and it is different from what others reported that there was a shooting incident near the administration building.

“Nagkaroon ng putok but it is not a shootout o sagutan, walang shootout sa kolonya, warning shot lang at may investigation na ngayon at hintayin natin ang resulta ,” Levita told the media.

He also appealed to the media to verify first the report before airing because misinformation may lead to different notions of the public.

“Nasaktan ako sa ilang lumabas  na balita kahapon dahil karamihan ay walang katotohanan tulad ng nagbarilan o nasaktan o sinugod sa ospital,“ he added.

The ICF head also explained that a lockdown was implemented yesterday to protect the Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) and their visitors even the tourists going to Balsahan River and ICF compound.

“Yung lockdown kasi is karapatan naming dahil an gaming primary reason ay for the security of the PDL’s and everybody inside the colony kasama na ang bisita at turista dahil pag di naming nagawa yan, baka magka-problema tayo sa community pag may nakalabas sa kanila,” Levita explained.

Meanwhile, investigations with regards to the incident will be conducted by the central office of BuCor.

Levita also confirmed that ICF personnel involved including JO1 Bon-As and his BJMP team were brought Manila for further investigations.

“Ang investigation Division nang Bureau of Corrections and mag- iimbestiga dito at pinadala sila sa Manila to personally clarify the issue,” Levita ended.

As for ICF management , business as usual and they will focus on their mandate and regular daily routine including the opening of Balsahan River and Iwahig Penal Colony to tourists.