Bulacan gov fumes over PDLs’ unauthorized home visits, eyes suspension of jail guards

Governor Daniel R. Fernando is fuming over the reported unauthorized home visits of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the Bulacan Provincil Jail (BPJ) in Malolos City and is eyeing the immediate suspension of jail officers who allowed them.

Fernando said he is waiting for the response from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) regarding his request to suspend those who are involved in the unauthorized movements of two PDLs who were reportedly going in and out of the facility to visit their homes.

The governor expressed his deep dismay upon learning of the situation inside the BPJ, calling it extremely concerning and unacceptable. He emphasized that he does not tolerate such actions as these are blatant violations of the law.

He added that once the investigation by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Bulacan Field Unit is completed, jail guards and officials found responsible will be held accountable and will be removed from their positions.

According to CIDG’s initial report, the two PDLs involved, identified as Abdua Arajalon, a detainee facing murder charges who held the title of “Mayor” inside the jail, and Mario San Jose, charged with homicide and referred to as the “Chairman of Barangay 11” within the facility, have been freely going in and out of the jail facility.

The governor stressed his firm stance against dishonesty.

“Ang sabi nila, ihahatid lang ni Arajalon ang asawa niya pauwi ng bahay na bumisita sa kanya. (They claimed that Arajalon was just dropping off his wife who had visited him at the jail). Is that even possible? No one visiting a jail needs to be escorted home by the detainee they came to see. Their alibis are unbelievable,” Fernando said.

It will be recalled that on April 13, Arajalon was apprehended in Barangay Dakila, Malolos City, freely driving a red Toyota Hilux without any court order or legal permission. Inside the vehicle were his wife, fellow detainee Mario San Jose, and a jail guard who accompanied them. All were arrested, including BPJ Jail Guard Tee-Jay Jimenez and Sarah Wahid, Arajalon’s second wife.

Jimenez was arrested for illegally escorting the detainees out of jail without court authorization, while Wahid was detained for allegedly conspiring in her husband’s unauthorized exit.

Authorities recovered a caliber .45 pistol with six live rounds, a 9mm Glock pistol with nine rounds, a magazine for each firearm, a Glock holster, and the red Toyota Hilux. On April 14, the suspects underwent inquest proceedings, and the case was raffled off to Branch 10 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Bulacan.

According to the CIDG, the suspects had been under surveillance for several weeks following reports that some high-profile detainees or the so-called “VIPs” were frequently leaving jail and returning home, often accompanied by jail guards. Arajalon, a former SWAT member detained since October 2019, was reportedly seen outside the facility multiple times, moving about like an ordinary civilian.

Concerned citizens in Bulacan have urged authorities to review CCTV footage inside and outside the prison to verify Arajalon’s movements and determine the full extent of the involvement by other jail personnel.

Fernando reiterated that once the Comelec grants his request to suspend those involved, he will not hesitate to reveal their identities to the public.

“They do not deserve their positions,” Fernando declared.