Byron pushes jail reforms after exposing 'ordeal' in Talisay cell

Local

A 65-YEAR-OLD former jail administrator who once oversaw detention operations in Cebu is now asking authorities to rethink how custodial facilities are managed.

Byron Garcia, brother of former Cebu governor Gwendolyn Garcia, said his own experience in police custody should serve as a basis for reforms, particularly in the treatment of senior citizens and detainees with medical conditions.

He made the appeal as he sought the intervention of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) over alleged unlawful treatment following his arrest on June 11.

In a press conference on Friday, June 19, Garcia said he hopes lessons from his detention will push improvements in custodial standards.

“I think they should do something about this, kay ako nakasuway ko, moreklamo ko kay nakasuway man ko pero ang uban louy kaayo intawn,” he said.

“I hope through me sa akong nasinatian daghan makabenifit ani nga tungod ani ubang mga police custodial facilities ilaha natong tarung-tarungon,” he added.

Garcia, 65, who previously served as chief of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, said detention cells should follow international standards that allocate 3.5 to 5 square meters per inmate.

He said a nine-square-meter cell should only hold about three detainees.

He alleged that around 32 inmates were placed in a single cell during his detention, with some detainees reportedly forced to occupy tight spaces due to overcrowding.

He said overcrowding was an issue he had long opposed during his tenure as jail administrator.

Garcia also said his age and medical condition were not properly considered while in custody.

“Ingon ko sa akoa gung condition dapat duna koy special protection from the custodial officers kay senior citizen man ko and nakita ninyo didto sa hospital nga aduna koy medical condition,” he said.

He said that after his arrest, he was brought to the Cebu South Medical Center in Talisay City after his blood sugar reportedly rose to 327, which he said is significantly above normal levels of around 100.

“Wala ko ka inject sa akong mga intervention drugs nga moubos unta akoang hyperglycemia,” he said.

Garcia added that his blood sugar was later recorded at 261 and that doctors recommended his transfer to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City.

He also alleged that he was left without food and water while in detention.

The complaint filed before the CHR seeks an investigation into his arrest and custodial conditions. Garcia also said he is considering filing an administrative case.

The case comes amid public discussion after Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro questioned Garcia’s reported admission to VSMMC, citing the speed of his transfer from police custody to the hospital.

Baricuatro said Garcia was admitted in less than an hour, contrasting it with long waiting times experienced by other patients in critical condition.

Garcia denied receiving preferential treatment, saying he was placed in a private ward available to paying patients under arrangements linked to the Cebu CFI Community Cooperative founded by his mother.

Garcia was arrested on June 11 at the Talisay Fish Port in Barangay San Roque, Talisay City, on three counts of alleged gender-based online sexual harassment.

Records showed the complaints were filed by Dr. Elisse Nicole Catalan, a public health consultant and daughter of Governor Baricuatro, who accused Garcia of posting sexist, misogynistic, and degrading statements on social media.

Prosecutors found probable cause to file three counts under the Safe Spaces Act, with the Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 1 in Mandaue City ordering the case to proceed and setting bail at P36,000 per count or P108,000 in total.

Garcia posted bail on June 13 after spending two nights in police custody.

His arraignment and pre-trial conference are scheduled for July 29, 2026.(MyTVCebu)