Byron Garcia questions jail conditions, cites 'poorly controlled diabetes'

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Former Cebu Capitol consultant Byron Fiel Garcia has questioned the conditions of his detention following his arrest on three counts of alleged violations of the Safe Spaces Act.

He argued whether authorities should have placed a 65-year-old senior citizen “with poorly controlled diabetes” inside an overcrowded detention cell.

Garcia, younger brother of former Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, aired the concern in a Facebook post days after posting bail and securing his temporary release, adding another dimension to his earlier allegations of police maltreatment following his arrest.

Byron Garcia arrested over alleged sexual harassment

Safe Spaces Act

In his post, Garcia wrote:

“Can you force a 65-year-old senior citizen detainee diagnosed with poorly controlled diabetes in a cramped regular cell 16 sq. meter size with 32 other detainees? Kinsa kahay gasugo ibalhug ko didto?” (Who ordered that I be thrown in there?)

He prefaced the post with the statement: “Inhumane acts of the powers that be… Forgetting Penology 101.”

Garcia did not identify in the post who allegedly ordered his placement in the detention cell.

The post came just days after he posted ₱108,000 as bail following his arrest on three counts of alleged gender-based sexual harassment. This is punishable under Republic Act No. 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act.

Earlier allegations of maltreatment

Garcia previously claimed he suffered “police maltreatment” while under the custody of the Talisay City Police Station.

In a Facebook post after his release, he alleged that he needed emergency medical attention and that the Talisay Rescue Emergency Assistance Team brought him to Talisay District Hospital.

They then transferred him to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City for further treatment and observation.

At the time, Garcia wrote that he remained under medical observation and was awaiting his doctors’ final assessment.

As of Tuesday, June 16, authorities have not publicly responded to Garcia’s latest statements regarding his detention conditions or his previous allegations of maltreatment.

Arrest, physical examination

Garcia was arrested on June 11 after the Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 1 in Mandaue City issued a warrant against him for three counts of alleged violation of the Safe Spaces Act involving allegations of gender-based sexual harassment.

Joint operatives from the Cebu Police Provincial Office’s Provincial Intelligence Unit and the Talisay City Police Station arrested Garcia at the Talisay Fish Port in Barangay San Roque.

Police earlier said Garcia did not resist arrest and that authorities informed him of the nature of the warrant before taking him into custody.

Authorities also brought him to a medical facility for a physical examination following the arrest.

Police previously said that no injuries attributable to the arresting officers were noted and that Garcia was in stable condition.

Released on bail

Judge Jennifer Pepito-Maniwang of the Mandaue City Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) Branch 1 signed Garcia’s release order after he posted the required ₱108,000 bail.

The criminal complaints stem from charges filed by Cebu Capitol Public Health Consultant Elisse Nicole “Nikki” Catalan, daughter of Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro.

Catalan earlier stated that the case seeks accountability not only for herself but also for other women who have experienced gender-based harassment.

Because posting bail only secures temporary freedom while awaiting trial, the criminal proceedings against Garcia remain pending before the court.

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