Contrary to Facebook rumor, San Mateo inmates survived storm

Contrary to a rumor that spread rapidly through Facebook and Twitter, not a single inmate at the San Mateo City Jail in Rizal province drowned during the great flood caused by tropical storm Ondoy last weekend, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said Friday. BJMP officials visited the jail on Friday to look into the rumor and ended up handing out commendations to the 15 jail officers for saving all 200 inmates amid great peril. In a phone interview with GMANews.TV, Jail Officer 1 Ryan Anthony Salvacion said at the height of Ondoy’s wrath last Saturday, the water from a nearby river overflowed and reached the city jail. The water rose to seven feet, which could have drowned the inmates if not for the quick response of the jail officers who transferred the prisoners to Roosevelt College nearby. All the inmates were accounted for, Salvacion said. Because of this, the BJMP bestowed Medalya ng Kasanayan (Efficiency Medal) to the jail’s 15 personnel “for their remarkable performance of duty assignments." “They managed to move the inmates of San Mateo City Jail safely to the Roosevelt College of San Mateo when the jail was flooded and the lives of the inmates were in grave peril," said the BJMP. “This notable deed showcased their utmost efficiency and dedication in the performance of their assigned tasks as their concerted effort resulted in the successful pursuit of the necessary rescue and disaster management operation," the BJMP General Order 2009-487 further read. Given recognition were: • Chief Inspector Godfrey Galigo • Inspector Joey Doguiles • Senior Jail Officer 2 Reyland Tabios • Jail Officer 3 Jesus Cernal Jr • Jail Officer 2 Alberto De Jernel • Jail Officer 2 Roger Marcelo • Jail Officer 1 Rolando Ayqui • Jail Officer 1 Almeire Ver • Jail Officer 1 Raniel Batta • Jail Officer 1 Samy Immatong • Jail Officer 1 Ernesto Bugaling • Jail Officer 1 Carlito Ganagana Jr • Jail Officer 1 Olivert Angel • Jail Officer 1 Clifford Castro and • Jail Officer 1 Cristina Labayo The order was signed by Chief Supt Benito Dorigo, deputy chief for administration, and Chief Supt. Alfredo Soliba Jr., director for human resource and records management. The action of the jail personnel was confirmed by a respected teacher from the area in a Facebook comment in response to the rumor, which she believed was black propaganda against local officials. “(My) brother checked it out - the prisoners were evacuated to Roosevelt High School in an orderly manner - no casualties. Black prop ito ng political rival, mayor was criticized but he has no authority. The BJMP people did their job and did it well," the Facebook poster said. - GMANews.TV