DOJ wants criminal raps vs Leviste's custodian

The Department of Justice panel that looked into the unauthorized ‘vacation’ of Jose Antonio Leviste has recommended the initiation of criminal charges against Fortunato Justo, the former Batangas governor's custodian at the New Bilibid Prison. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Justo is the only one facing criminal actions while other Bureau of Corrections and NBP officials are facing administrative sanctions. "The guard, the custodian," De Lima said in response to a query on who the panel held criminally liable for Leviste's so-called caper outside the sprawling NBP reservation in Muntinlupa City. Justo spoke before the panel's hearing Tuesday last week and said that he was unaware that Leviste, an inmate with "sleep out" privileges, had sneaked outside Bilibd last May 18. "Napansin mo na pumuslit ang sasakyan? (Did you notice that Leviste was picked up by a vehicle?)?" asked State Counsel Wilberto Tolitol, a member of the five-man panel. To which, Justo replied: "Di ko napansin, gawa nang mapuno (I did not notice any vehicle because there were many trees.) Asked how he monitors the 13 "sleep out" inmates like Leviste, Justo only replied that his basis was "trust and confidence" on the inmate. The "sleep out" system for inmates is different from the "living out" system. Inmates detained at the minimum security camp are automatically granted "living out" status because they are about to complete the service of their sentences or because they are above 70 years old. Those living out can roam the NBP compound during daytime as part of BuCor's program to help them reintegrate into society. "Sleep out" inmates, on the other hand, can spend the night in private homes inside the prison compound but away from prison cell at the minimum security compound. Justo was likewise castigated by the panel for supposed inconsistencies between his testimony at the hearing and the contents of his incident report last May 18. — Sophia Dedace/RSJ, GMA News