78-YEAR OLD DRUG SUSPECT WANTS FREEDOM THIS CHRISTMAS

Christmas is the time of the year when families gather together and share
the joy of the season. But for prisoners inside detention cells it is just
a wish. Take for instance Lola Anita Goriona, 78 years old, a prisoner at
the Iloilo City Detention Cell in Gen. Luna St. Lola Anita is oldest of the
73 inmates in the said jail. She has been in prison for almost one year and
eight months due to illegal possession of prohibited drugs.

For Lola Anita the greatest gift that she wants to receive this Christmas
is to become free. Though she lives alone, Lola Anita says it would still
be happier if she lives freely outside the jail.

However, her dream of being released from detention is still far from
reality as her case carries the penalty ranging from life imprisonment to
death.

Goriona was arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Philippine
Drugs Enforcement Authority (PDEA) on April 27, 2004 at Barangay Malipayon,
City Proper. Authorities allegedly recovered one kilo of dried marijuana
leaves from her possession. No bail was recommended for her temporary
liberty. Her case is now pending at Branch 36 of the Iloilo Regional Trial
Court.

She is being assisted by a lawyer from the Public Attorney's Office (PAO).
The old woman denied the charges of PDEA saying the evidence against her
was planted.

According to PO2 Herbert Remegio of the PDEA, the cops who busted Goriona
are now assigned in Bacolod City. He could not attest on what really
transpired during Goriona's arrest except that it was a buy-bust operation
made during the time of former PDEA chief S/Supt. Lazaro Torcita.

Meanwhile, if Lola Anita is the oldest inmate, a 15-year old boy is the
youngest among the inmates at the Iloilo City Detention Cell. The boy is
charged with theft after having been caught selling goods stolen from one
of the city's malls. His case is pending in court.

In an interview, the said the goods were handed to him by his friend who
works inside the mall. Prior to his arrest, he works at the Iloilo Central
Market.

Another minor, who is now detained at the Iloilo City Detention Cell was
arrested for illegal gambling.

The minor was a suspected "koredor" of "first two", a local numbers game.

Chief Inspector Elea Belmonte, chief of the Iloilo City Detention Cell said
of the 73 inmates, 64 already have a commitment order from the court while
nine are considered in lock-up status. Of the 64 inmates with commitment
order, nine are minors.

Belmonte said majority of the inmates are charged for violation of illegal
drugs. Some are also charged with theft and frustrated murder. Most of the
inmates are women, she said.

Minors who are in jail committed theft which ranges from cell phone
snatching and stealing. The age of the 14 minor inmates ranges from 15 to
18, said Belmonte.

The 73 inmates were the recipients of the gift-giving activity sponsored by
the Iloilo City Hall Press Corps last Friday. The gift-giving activity
project of the group is already in its fifth year. This is the group's way
of sharing blessings with the inmates and let them feel the spirit of Christmas.