GMA-TV: FRONT ROW EPISODES REGARDING

PRISONERS
A DOCUMENTARY

PART 1
Sa loob ng Munti
National Bilibid Prison
Aired in December 2011
Available URL to video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiDy7j5H7Gg
PART 2
Sentensiya
Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center
Aired September 13, 2013
Available URL to video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9C1PyqHC28#t=2340

Sa loob ng Munti
National Bilibid Prison

National Bilibid Prison is a maximum security compound (10 hectares area)

which houses 12,000 convicted criminals. The inmates here were sentenced 20 years
minimum, recidivist/ repeat offenders, escapee, and some prisoners who have cases on
appeal. The prison is divided into two (2) areas, namely Karsil (Visayan word for jail)
area and Presidio (Spanish term for Prison) area. Karsil area were being used by
inmates who came from the Visayan and Mindanao Region, while Presidio area were
being used by inmates from Luzon area. Inspector Abel Ciruela explained that dividing
the compound into two areas was for safety reason, because cultural differences could
make trouble inevitable in some instances. Inspector Abel Ciruela (OIC, Security and
Patrol unit) narrated that behavior inside the maximum compound is changing for the
better. During the old days when his father was a jail guard way back in 1950s, violence
inside the compound were very rampant, unlike these days (during his term) the
prisoners were very cooperative and more disciplined.
Jose Obosa, 52 years old, convicted for the crime of Double Murder,
almost 20 yrs. of detention inside the maximum security compound. During the early
years of his detention, the compound was still underdeveloped and inmate riots were
very rampant. The vicinity of the compound were basically used for planting crops and
spaces for livestock, the walkways were dilapidated and muddy; unlike now the vicinity
were used for recreational activities, there is a tennis court, a basketball court, and a
plaza where inmates could use to pass some time, the muddy walkways were developed
into cement walkways. Way back in his early years inmates were still violent, when a riot
sparks between gangs (the term in Bilibid is Pangkat) in the morning expect that it
would go through the whole day, to keep yourself safe you have to hide or just stay
away from other inmates; but now its a relief that the compound has become peaceful
and he could roam free without any worries.
JB Nio M. Sebastian, convicted for the crime of Kidnap for ransom and
hijacking, 2 years of detention inside the maximum security compound. When he got
convicted and he is bound for the National Bilibid Prison, his former fellow inmates in
the city jail told him that life is tougher in Bilibid, but when he came in the perceptions
about Bilibid were wrong. It is not congested unlike the city jails and there are many
recreational areas to make you preoccupied from temporal boredom, according to him
if he had known Bilibid was a better place he should have been there from the first time
he got detained (he was already detained in Manila and Bicutan city jail for 8 years
before he was transferred). He was an elected Commander of a Pangkat of
Commando Gang; during the old days in order to become a Commander, the only

qualification is that you are a Tirador, a terminology used to distinguish a prisoner

who have killed 5-10 persons inside the maximum compound, however in the present
time some Commanders were elected because of their goodwill and respect they have
earned from their fellow inmates. The role of the Commanders is to lead as a good
example to others, not to promote violence but to promote peace and harmony inside
Bilibid, and I quote him: Madaming may hindi gusto ng pamamaraan ng pagdidisiplina,
dito paminsan minsan yung salitang mali o yung gawaing mali ay yun yung kailangan
mong gawin para maitama ang isang katerbang mali, never kang di pwedeng manakit,
kahit saan kahit kalian, pero anong gagawin mo rito pag may taong pasaway? I-issuehan
mo ng memo? Kakausapin mo? Hindi pwede, dahil hindi na sila pwedeng matakot, hindi
mo na pwedeng ikulong yung naka kulong na dahil naka kulong na sila, kasi may mga
crimes na nangyayari dito mismo sa loob namin, ang iniiwasan namin yung magkaron ng
pananaw yung mga dumadalaw dito, na yang mga taong yan eh di na dapat dinadalaw
dahil mga hayup, dahil naka kulong na nga gumagawa pa ng di maganda, so as a leader
di ko papayagan na mangyari yun. To discipline erring members of the gang they used
the Takal method, where an inmate would lie down on a bench and he will get
spanked (like a kid) publicly in front of the other inmates to serve as a lesson to others.
According to him what they are really trying to prevent is having collisions with other
Pangkat, because there is a possibility that things might not get resolved peacefully.
Ins. Ciruela added that the role of the Pangkat or gangs were doing a good job
by maintaining peace and order inside Bilibid, unlike in the old days Pangkat or gangs
were customarily used for protection. Leaders of Pangkat or gangs have a big role in
changing the bad image of the National Bilibid Prisons as a rehabilitation facility.
Luis Antonio Garchitorena, convicted for the crime of Parricide, 7 years of
detention inside the maximum security compound. He was a professional singer before,
playing in piano bars, he joins bands/ show bands, and he won the 1996 Metro Pop
competition as the band vocalist of the year. When his case was affirmed at the
Supreme Court, he consider committing suicide, until he found his own band inside
Bilibid named Lamb of God band, the members were also former musicians. The band
has become his diversion, he could do whats best thing he could, and that is music.
They have become one of the main attractions, a show band inside the Bilibid.
Warren Zingapan, convicted for the crime of Murder, 8 years of detention
inside the maximum security compound. He was a UP College of Engineering graduate,
he topped the Civil Engineering Licensure exam (no.1) on 1996. In his first years of stay
in Bilibid, he was full of hopelessness and regrets, that he should be practicing his
profession, having a lucrative profession in a corporate setting. Until later on he got to
know some people who influenced him to set a good example to others. He is the

president of Lamb of God foundation, he inspire others to do something for the

better, and to have dignity to face people despite the crimes that they have committed.
His outlook inside the Bilibid have changed and I quote him Yung outlook ko na
nanghihinayang kung paano yung nasayang kung di I look forward kung ano yung
pwedeng gagawin.
Efren De Taza, convicted for the crime of Rape (4 counts), 14 years of
detention inside the maximum security compound. He was a UST conservatory
graduate, currently he is the musical director of the BuCor orchestra and chorale. His
diversion inside Bilibid is to teach how to use the instruments and the rudiments of
music (reading notes, harmonization, etc.), according to him it has become a blessing in
disguise for him that he got to do something fulfilling.
Arnel C. Enejente, convicted for the crime involving drugs, 3 years of
detention inside the maximum security compound. When he first came inside Bilibid, he
is a no read no write person, he cant even write his name before. Studying has
become his diversion, now he could write and read comprehensively; before when his
mother ask him to buy something he couldnt tell if he got the right change or not, now
he knows how to count. He was very thankful that Bilibid has a school that teaches
inmates who didnt have the chance to attend school while they were still at liberty.
Amir Muyong, convicted for the crime of Homicide, 14 years of detention
inside the maximum security compound. He was a former death row inmate, back then
he was too depressed, he lost hope, he wont know if the day he woke up is the last day
of his life, but it was a relief for him that the death sentence has been abolished. He was
one of the beneficiaries of vocational training inside Bilibid, he learns painting and with
that he could send money to his relatives. He was grateful that even though he is inside,
he was given the opportunity to help his family.
Manong Gasper, convicted for the crime of Child Abuse, 5 years of detention
inside the maximum security compound. He said doing poems as a diversion is more
than an art for him, but it has become his life ever since he came to Bilibid when sharing
his works to his fellow inmates and I quote him: Lipos ng ligaya! At parang nanalo ako
sa lotto kapag nakakagawa ng tula.

The documentary focused on how the National Bilibid Prisons really looked like in
present time, it is not the prison hell we pictured out based on movies and rumors we
heard. The inmates of this time seek recognition from the society, which they still
belong, and I just hope we put an open mind regarding the matter.

Prejudice always obscures the truth

12 Angry Men
1957

Prepared by:
Arvin S. Castaeda

-END-

Sentensiya
Cebu Provincial Detention and
Rehabilitation Center

Michael Edulsa, accused for the crime of theft, already serving his sentence for 6
years inside CPDRC (Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center). He used to work as a
welder on a ship; the officials of the ship accused him of stealing a certain part of the welding
machine. According to him he was suppose to enter a plea of guilty and be on probation, but
the fiscal objected. He says that it seems ok to stay inside the prison as long as he is being fed,
but as time passes by he is growing old and he wanted to come out soon.
Lolo Porferio Baylon (74 yrs. old), accused for the crime of theft, already serving
his sentence for 8 years inside CPDRC. A shop attendant accused him of stealing a 1 gallon of
cooking oil (really?), Lolo Porferio didnt even how much it cost (but God forbid, never seen a
cooking oil worth PHP1000.00), he said that he was just falsely accused with somebody who is
the one who really stole the cooking oil. He was very upset that he was detained for 8 years for
committing a crime that he did not do. He is growing lonely as the day passes by, because of his
age and no one is paying him a visit.
Jail warden Romeo Manansala tells that Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation
Center (CPDRC) was the biggest detention center in region 7, it is composed of hardened
criminal up to those accused with simple offenses. CPDRC has been well known for the Cebu
dancing inmates, because of the lack of recreational areas they promote dancing as a
diversionary program. Dancing has made the inmates please and very happy that people
appreciated their talents, which also gave some people a perspective that prisoners could do
something positive while they are detained. He further said that jail guards were undermanned,
the ratio is 1 jail guard is to 150 prisoners (1:150). Congestion inside the jails is also a problem, a
jail would cater 20 prisoners, thats why sanitation and health is a problem nowadays. He said
that many of the inmates were overstaying, but he cant do anything about their release,
because it is up to the courts to decide when those detainees will be release.
Marco Toral, a former inmate who was acquitted, he recounts the slow judicial
process which takes 7-8 months to schedule for another hearing, worst at the scheduled
hearing its either the judge or the lawyer is not available , the hearing will be rescheduled
again. He said that due to the slow judicial process, it causes the congestion of inmates inside
CPDRC, thats why there are so many overstaying inmates who already served their sentence
but was not even promulgated.
Emma Butad, accused for violation of Anti Fencing Law, already serving her
sentence for 5 years inside CPDRC, she said she was falsely accused. While she was at her
workplace she was invited by a group of policemen to go with them to the city hall for some
question, she was then suddenly apprehended; she just learned of the charges later on that she
allegedly purchased a stolen Silver accessory. There is a time that she wanted to commit
suicide, but she desisted because of her children. She is growing lonely because her relatives
often visit her in a year. In 2 years she was never been issued a subpoena to attend trial.

Data (by the National Statistical Coordination Board) would say 68,702 or 94% of Filipino
prisoners were not yet been sentenced. There goes a legal maxim, justice delayed is justice
denied, and we are talking about how our Justice System is destroying the lives of those people.
Being imprisoned is equivalent to a dream shattered, we could wish for the enhancement of
the so called Right to speedy trial, but until when?

Having dreams is what makes life tolerable

Rudy
1993

Prepared by:
Arvin S. Castaeda

-END-