BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio City Jail (BCJ) has a total population of 619 inmates or persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) as of October 26, this year, with 511 in the male dorm and 108 in the female dorm.
BCJ male and female dorm wardens J/CInsp. Crispin Dornagon, Jr. and J/SInsp. April Rose Ayangwa, respectively, said the male dorm has a 411 percent congestion rate while the female dorm is at 116 percent.
Despite the congestion, both stressed that PDLs here are still luckier than their counterparts in other facilities since they each have their own beds other than the “natural airconditioning” due to the Summer Capital’s relatively cool climate.
Of the top crimes charged to male PDLs, Dornagon said 290 are drug-related cases (RA 9165); 53 for robbery and seven cases for rape.
The oldest male PDL is 75 years old charged with rape and violation of RA 7610 while the youngest is 16 charged with slight physical injury and rape.
Of the crimes charged to female PDLs, Ayangwa said 57 are drug-related cases (RA 9165); 27 for estafa; 10, theft/ qualified theft; seven for illegal recruitment; three, murder; two for child trafficking; one each for perjury and child abuse.
The oldest female PDL is 70 years old charged with illegal recruitment and estafa while the youngest is 18 charged with violation of Sec. 5 of RA 9165.
Both wardens are thanking the city government led by Mayor Mauricio Domogan, Rep. Mark Go and Vice-Mayor Edison Bilog for its continuous support for the BCJ’s programs aimed at rehabilitating and reforming PDLs. /Gaby Keith
