Ex-mayor is Leyte's new jail warden

BAYBAY CITY, Leyte, June 1 – A former town mayor is the new warden at the Leyte provincial jail. 

Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla confirmed on Wednesday the appointment of former Tabontabon, Leyte Mayor Brendo Gamez, a retired police senior superintendent, as the new jail warden of Leyte province starting Thursday.

Gamez, who lost his bid for a second term as mayor in last year’s polls, replaced Homobono Bardillon. 

Bardillon was temporarily appointed by the governor in 2015.

Bardillon was the jail warden when the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group team barged in the prison cell of Albuera town Mayor Rolando Espinosa, Sr. before dawn last November 5. The mayor, linked to illegal drugs, and another inmate were killed during the raid.

Petilla clarified that the incident inside the Baybay City sub-provincial jail has nothing to do with his decision to replace Bardillon.

The official told PNA that he decided to replace Bardillon since he had no civil service eligibility, a basic requirement to hold permanent position in the government.

“His appointment was only temporary and it has already expired. The advice of the Civil Service Commission is for me to look for a replacement and I chose Gamez because there are no takers,” Petilla said.

Petilla asked Gamez to address the illegal drugs problem inside jails under the jurisdiction of the province.(Roel T. Amazona/PNA)