MANILA – The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has relieved two officers of the Corrections Institution for Women (CIW) pending an investigation into alleged anomalies involving the trust fund of women persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. ordered CIW Superintendent Daisy Sevilla-Castillote and Deputy Superintendent for Administration Marites Lebardo to report to the Office of the Deputy Director General for Administration at the BuCor National Headquarters in Muntinlupa City.

Catapang said the move was made to facilitate a comprehensive investigation into the alleged mishandling of the PDL trust fund.

Meanwhile, Corrections Officer 2 Bianca Ramos, the CIW PDL Trust Fund Officer, has been absent without leave (AWOL) since July 29.

BuCor has sought the assistance of the Muntinlupa Police Station to locate Ramos, who authorities said could provide information relevant to the investigation.

In the interim, CIW Inspector Lariza Martin, director of the Reception and Diagnostic Center of the BuCor National Headquarters, was designated as acting CIW superintendent.

Catapang also directed Internal Audit Service Unit chief Edgardo Virtudazo to conduct an internal audit to gather and verify relevant records, information and reports concerning the alleged mishandling of the trust funds.

The Directorate for Intelligence and Investigation, headed by Atty. Ferdinand Balduman, was likewise tasked to conduct a parallel investigation to determine the extent of possible liability among former and current CIW officers.

“If it is true that there are missing funds amounting to about PHP6 million, this did not happen overnight. We need to get to the bottom of this and hold those accountable in their proper place,” Catapang said./PNA