Chief Insp. Jose Rusylvie Abueva, warden of the Bayawan District Jail, scored Bayawan City Prosecutor Peter Balbuena for dismissing the illegal gun possession complaints against Teresa Balungcas, reportedly a civilian agent of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, last week.

Abueva said he hopes the motion for reconsideration filed by the Bayawan City Police will succeed so the case may be further investigated.

He also said he is planning to seek a legal opinion from the regional headquarters of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. Although the filing of cases is under the jurisdiction of the PNP, district jail officials need to know the legal grounds of the case, Abueva said.

Balbuena has dismissed in preliminary investigation the complaint filed against Balungcas, citing a similar case in Bohol involving a civilian agent of the AFP, who was also able to present “legitimate” documents.

The woman reportedly attempted to smuggle a KG-9 machine pistol inside the Bayawan District Jail on February 14. A search also yielded two magazine clips and 30 rounds of live ammunition, the police had reported.

Sr. Insp. Teddy Picardal, Bayawan police chief, said Balungcas, a resident of Sitio Umod, Barangay Maninihon in Bayawan, was released after showing proof that she is an agent of the 7th Regional Intelligence and Security Unit of the Philippine Army, based in Camp Lapu-lapu, Cebu City.

Abueva said there is no room for complacency, since five “high-risk criminals” are detained at the Bayawan jail.

Security has been strengthened, especially during visitation time. Abueva said a woman jail officer was also assigned to do body checks on visitors, to prevent allegations of harassment.

Plastics, metals, cellphones or any devices that can be discreetly used as weapons and might cause trouble inside the jail, are also prohibited. Visitors are strictly advised not to bring in canned goods or liquid beverages in canisters.*MA

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