Male inmates sign covenant on peace and unity

January 16, 2019. This day marks a historic event in Davao City Jail Annex. One hundred forty (140) PDLs or Persons Deprived of Liberty (formerly termed as inmates) belonging to various gangs inside the Annex Jail have surrendered and signed a covenant with the BJMPRO XI Jail Management withdrawing their affiliations from various gangs. This covenant effectively dissolves the existence of gangs in this jail. The gang members signed the “Panunumpa ng Pagkakaisa” stating that they will not join nor initiate any illegal activity nor establish any group that is not recognized and approved by the BJMP.

The BJMPRO XI team was led by BJMPRO XI Regional Director JSSupt. Amelia A. Rayandayan and Annex Jail Warden JSInsp Erwin B. Esden. Members of the Archdiocesan Commission on Prison Welfare and representatives from various civic, religious groups and prison volunteers were also present to witness this event and to renew their Service Provider Memorandum of Agreement with DCJ Annex. In her inspirational message, RD Rayandayan encouraged the PDLs to focus on doing good deeds while in detention so as to gain merits and earn points on Good Conduct Time Allowance in order to hasten their release from jail. As proof of this policy and to serve as inspiration to the PDLs, RD Rayandayan gave one PDL his release papers during the program.

This historic covenant was made possible through the efforts of DCJ Annex Warden JSInsp Esden and his very supportive Deputy Warden JInsp Reynaldo Putong and PDL Welfare Chief SJ03 Edwin L. Naidas. (Marian Carmela Raquel | ACPW)