At least 1,000 prisoners at a city jail in Cagayan de Oro City, Southern Philippines, are undergoing a hunger strike in protest against the system and the new jail warden; and against what they describe as "unfair and unjust treatment."
Sorry -- but if you're not a Napoles or a Delfin Lee, you have to make do with drinking water coming from a dirty hose, and raw food served late three times a day.
Must an ordinary inmate suffer lack of water, eat food unfit for human consumption and deprived of family visits, while some affluent personalities like former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, alleged pork barrel queen Janet Lim-Napoles, Globe Asiatique head Delfin Lee, et al are enjoying sufficient food and water supply, plus regular visits from families and friends?
Two prisoners secretly called up a local radio station Monday morning, April 14, and announced their protest action through hunger strike until the system inside the jail is improved and the jail warden is replaced.
The prisoners, who requested anonymity, complained about lack of water, the kind of food rationed, and the way the new warden, Erwin Ronquillo, render them their supposed "family day."
Aside from fasting starting on Monday, the prisoners said they would also now allow other inmates get out of their prison cells to attend court hearings.
The prisoners claimed that, since the new warden took over about two months ago, water has been scarce. From four faucets and hoses, they are only allowed to use one hose for four to five hours a day.
The rationed food, even if cooked, is said to be unfit for human consumption, given very late and the menu repeated for an entire week.
The prisoners claimed breakfast is served at noon, lunch between 3 to 4 p.m., and dinner at 7 p.m.
They also claimed that the new warden took away their "family day," which was supposed to be held every Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., when members of the family can get inside jail to have time with them.
All the allegations were denied by Warden Ronquillo, who said that out of 1,043 inmates, only 125 did not accept their food ration on Monday and are on hunger strike.
The 125 is said to belong to a group called BM 29.--Source: Solar News