Duterte fires Faeldon, orders re-arrest of convicts; watersheds closely watched
Published Sep 7, 2019 12:21 am
PUNCHLINE
By FRED M. LOBO
Fred M. Lobo
President Duterte has fired Undersecretary Nicanor Faeldon of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and ordered the re-arrest of high-profile criminals questionably released earlier.
No more hanky-panky at BuCor, no further travesty of justice, The Punisher ordered.
Fred M. Lobo
President Duterte has fired Undersecretary Nicanor Faeldon of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and ordered the re-arrest of high-profile criminals questionably released earlier.
No more hanky-panky at BuCor, no further travesty of justice, The Punisher ordered.
***
Duterte told Faeldon to immediately resign over the controversial release of prisoners and ordered some 1,700 affected convicts to surrender in 15 days. Investigate possible corruption, re-compute jail time and punish the guilty, the President directed.***
“I am the President, there is fire burning.. I have to put out the fire…(surrender), if you do not ...you are a fugitive from justice (to be captured) dead or alive,” Duterte declared. It’s “act now,” answer constitutional questions later, Malacanang Boys said.***
The President likewise ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to review and rewrite the controversial implementing rules for the Good Conduct Time Allowance Law of 2013 which was used as basis for the release of prisoners, including those who committed heinous crime. Defective implementing rules cannot subvert the intent of the law. Let those who committed heinous crimes, like rape and murder, rot in jail, the Palace said.***
Duterte issued his orders in the wake of a Senate and House inquiry on the questionable release of convicts from the Muntinlupa national penitentiaryby BuCor officials which triggered a public outcry. No to circumvention of laws by BuCor. Walangpalusot!***
“The President will not tolerate any form of injustice being committed under his watch,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo earlier said. “It is for this reason that he will ensure that the practice initiated by the past administration on the granting of GCTA will no longer continue,” Paneloadded.***
Panelo said the President was irked by the impending release of former Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez who was convicted of the Sarmenta rape slay, and the actual release of high-profile convicts in the Chiong sisters rape-slay and several Chinese drug lords. Prisoners released under “questionable” circumstances. BuCornagka-bukol.Tsk-tsk!***
Senators grilled BuCor Director General Nicador Faeldon and other officials over the early release of convicts of heinous crimes despite their supposed exclusion from the benefits of RA 10592 or the GCTA law which was intended for lesser offenders with “good conduct.” BuCor officials showed bad conduct.Removal and sanctions in order, legislators cried.***
“We stress that the granting of GCTA is not a form of executive clemency, the awarding of which belongs to the Office of the President. The buck, in this case, stops with the Bureau of Corrections,”Panelo explained, adding the President “will give appropriate consideration to the findings of Congress.” Yes to corrective measures for the Bureau of Corrections. Yes to speedy action and reforms on matters of public concern.***
Meanwhile, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy A. Cimatu warned against the exploration of watershed areas, especially for mining purposes. It’s strictly prohibited, he declared.***
Cimatu said the watersheds of Surigao del Sur and Northern Mindanao are crucial not only as water resources but also as habitats of biodiversity and homelands of indigenous peoples. “There should be no exploration and no application should be approved in Caraga region,” and other similar areas, Cimatu added.***
The DENR head pointed out that watersheds in Surigao del Sur are among the 140 watersheds nationwide that have been identified by the national convergence initiative for sustainable rural development as convergence sites, “A lot of groups wanted to explore within the watershed area but I won’t allow it. Let the watershed stay as it is,” he said.***
He said that covert mining operations have been uncovered in some watershed areas like Cantilan in Surigao del Sur and such activities will never be tolerated
By all means, let us protect and save our watersheds from greed.