Ombudsman suspends 27 BuCor officials over 'GCTA for sale' scandal

Photo file image via ABS CBN

The Office of the Ombudsman has served a six-month preventive suspension on 27 Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) officials because of the alleged freedom-for-sale scandal.

According to a report by Inquirer, the said officials are facing grave misconduct cases for the release of heinous crime convicts using the now controversial good conduct time allowance.

The Ombudsman said that there is strong evidence against the BuCor officials regarding the issue.

 Ombudsman Samuel Martires on Monday, Sept.9 signed the order to suspend the following BuCor officials: “BuCor officials Chief Supt. Gerardo Padilla, Senior Supt. Celso Bravo, SPO2 Ramoncito Roque and 24 others.”

Other suspended officials include:

• Insp. Benjamin Barrios (supervisor, Maximum Security Camp)
• PSII Francisco Abunales (NBP superintendent)
• Senior Supt. Melencio Faustino (regional superintendent, Davao Prison and Penal Farm)
• CTO3 Cherry Caliston (Documents Division chief, Davao Penal Farm)
• Ruelito Pulmano (liason officer)
• Insp. Emerita Aguilar (chief, Reformation and Rehabilitation Office)
• Insp. Raymund Peneyra (chief overseer, Maximum Security Compound Chief)
• CO1 Jomar Coria (NBP South Reformation Coordinator)
• Insp. Roy Vivo (Chief of Guards, Maximum Security Compound)
• Senior Supt. Wilfredo Bayona (deputy superintendent, NBP South)
• CO3 John Edward Basi (assistant chief, Reformation and Rehabilitation Office, NBP Maximum Security Compound)
• Insp. Abel Ciruela (COG, Maximum Security Compound)
• Insp. Roger Boncales (DSO-NBP North)
• PGII Eduardo Cabuhat (OIC, Training and Education Office)
• Dr. Ma. Lourdes Razon (OIC, Medical and Dental Office)
• Mary Lou Arbatin (chief, Behavior Modification Office)
• Susana Ortega (OIC, Prison Industry Office, Maximum Security Compound)
• PGIII Anthony Nupable Omega (OIC, Sports and Recreation Office, Maximum Security Compound)
• PGII Antonio Calumpit (OIC, Overseer, Maximum Security Compound)
• Supt. Roberto Rabo (superintendent, NBP)
• Insp. Jones Lanuza (deputy superintendent for reformation, NBP)
• SO1 Victor de Monteverde (chief, Alternative Learning System, Maximum Security Compound)
• Maribel Bancil (Correctional Senior Inspector, NBP)
• Veronica Buño, (Custodial Officer, NBP)

The above officials were also slapped with complaints for gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, which may, later on, cause their removal from office.

President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the investigation following the release of thousands of inmates including those with heinous crime charges due to the controversial GCTA law.

Source: Inquirer