Journalist’s convicted killer tagged ‘high risk’ inmate
Ex-cop placed in cell with Abu Sayyaf suspects
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Jail authorities have classified the convicted killer of Pagadian journalist Edgar Damalerio a "high-risk" prisoner and have locked him up in a maximum security cell with members of the local terror group Abu Sayyaf.
For convict and former police officer Guillermo Wapile, who was transferred to the jail here recently, there will be no more operating karaoke and videoke machines or playing tennis, things he used to do inside the Pagadian City Jail where he was formerly held.
Superintendent Victor Borres, warden of the Zamboanga City Reformatory Center, said Wapile is under tight watch and all his visitors are closely scrutinized. And from now on, all he will be able to play are board games because "domino and chess are the only games allowed [here]."
Inspector Belsie Agustin, chief of operations and spokesperson of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Western Mindanao, said Wapile is considered "high risk and a high-profile inmate."
This, said Agustin, was the reason the convicted killer’s transfer was made confidential "to ensure that he will not escape or [be snatched from us by any] groups."
"It's all for security reasons," Agustin said.
"Wapile's case is not just a typical commission of index crimes...[he] being a former well-trained police officer and his reported association with [a] notorious criminal gang," Agustin added.
Wapile was transferred to the Zamboanga City Reformatory Center on May 19 under heavy guard.
He was immediately detained at Cell Number 1, sharing it with 60 other high-risk and high-profile criminals like suspected Abu Sayyaf members, murderers and rapists.
The transfer, Agustin said, was based on an order from the Regional Trial Court Branch 19 in Cebu City and a request from Inspector. Elmer Gregorio, warden of the Pagadian City Jail.
Borres said Wapile is not allowed to mingle with anyone outside his cell. He is also excluded from any of the facility's programs and projects like the recently held skills training for inmates.
"He'll stay here for safekeeping. He will soon be transferred to another facility [the national penitentiary in Muntinlupa]," Borres said.
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