Ass’t jail warden suspendedfor escape

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The assistant provincial jail warden was placed under preventive suspension for 60 days for the escape of four detention prisoners while two prison guards were preventively suspended for 30 days for gross neglect of duty.

Lawyer Geraldine Baniqued, chairperson of the investigating committee on administrative cases of the provincial government signed and order dated May 2, suspending assistant provincial jail warden Rogelio Paglingayenfor 60 days “for failing to perform the functions and duties in supervising the jail operation which led to the escape of at least four detention prisoners from January to April 2011 and pending investigation of the above-entitled cases (neglect of duty).”

“Assistant provincial warden is directed to immediately report to the provincial warden, for proper turnover/disposition of documents or properties in his possession,” Baniqued’s order added.

Baniqued also put under preventive suspension for 30 days prison guards Vincent Arcelona and Urbana Fariñas for gross neglect of duty in a decision she signed on April 29.

Baniqued also charged administratively with neglect of duty retired police Col. Rolando Diaz, and Paglingayen last April 29.

“On several occasions, particularly on Jan. 7, 2011, Jan. 25,2011 and April 17, 2011, detention prisoners committed at the Pangasinan Provincial Jail managed to escape. The events indicate that you fell short of the due diligence required of your functions, as provincial warden and assistant provincial warden, respectively, you failed to institute both preemptive and corrective measures to prevent the escape, contrary to law,” Baniqued’s letter, stating the formal charge, said.

She said that in effect, their acts diminished the public’s trust and tainted the image of public office to the damage and prejudice of the Pangasinan Provincial Jail, in particular, and the provincial government in general.

She directed the two to submit their verified answer to this formal charge within a period of 10 days from receipt of the order. -- EV