Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the Negros Occidental District Jail – Male Dormitory (NODJ-MD) have filed a petition against Jail Warden JCINSP Atty. Crisyrel P. Awe, DSC, citing harassment, intimidation, non-compliance with agreements, unjust isolation, and irregularities in the jail’s cashless system.

The petition, signed on August 25, stated that “before the formal negotiations took place, the Jail Warden harassed and intimidated the negotiating panel composed of five (5) PDL representatives.”

It added that Awe was “wearing a bulletproof vest and military helmet, accompanied by armed personnel under his command,” which caused “psychological distress to the PDLs involved and created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.”

The PDLs also said agreements made during the August 24 negotiations in the presence of human rights lawyers and a media practitioner have not been implemented.

Among the issues raised were the exclusion of gardeners from the “Gulayan sa Piitan” livelihood program and the failure to observe the agreed-upon rotated sunning schedule starting at 6:00 AM.

The petition further alleged that two PDLs were “automatically isolated and padlocked without due process or clear justification.”

The PDLs also flagged problems with the jail’s cashless coupon system, citing “overpricing of goods, e.g., Nescafé being sold at Php240/pack,” and the “lack of transparency, as no official receipts are issued to PDLs who deposit money, contrary to prior agreements.”

“This petition is part of our silent protest since August 24, 2025 (Sunday),” the PDLs wrote.

In a statement on August 26, KAPATID Negros said it “strongly condemns the harassment, intimidation, and continuing violations of the rights of Persons Deprived of Liberty at the Negros Occidental District Jail – Male Dormitory under the leadership of Jail Warden JCINSP Atty. Crisyrel P. Awe, DSC.”

“These acts not only trample upon the rights of PDLs but also expose the culture of impunity within jail management,” KAPATID Negros said.

The group added, “The PDLs’ silent protest since August 24 is a cry for dignity. It is a demand that the BJMP and all concerned authorities can no longer ignore.”

KAPATID Negros demanded “the immediate investigation and relief of Jail Warden Awe, the correction of these blatant violations, and the assurance of fairness, transparency, and humane conditions for all PDLs in NODJ-MD.”

“We hold the BJMP accountable for enabling an environment of fear and abuse within its facilities,” the group said.