ILOILO City – “It is very hard to live without the familiar warmth of someone dear to you.”
An emotional Toto (not his real name) shared to Panay News his story as a person deprived of liberty (PDL), while the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has also deprived him of physical interaction.
The 32-year-old resident of the City Proper here has been detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Barangay Ungka, Jaro district for six months now.
Beginning last year, BJMP temporarily suspended visits in prison facilities as part of efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019.
Toto said overcoming the longing for his wife, 11-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son may be hard, but he believes “all these would pass.”
“Masakit kag masubo nga mapalayo ka sa imo pamilya. Indi mo makita kun ano ginahimo sang imo kabataan. Indi mo sila ma–hug kag indi ko mahatag katungdanan bilang amay. Pero ginakaya ko lang ah, think positive lang ko permi,” Toto said.
He also expressed sadness for being “unproductive” while behind bars. He said he could not support his family as their breadwinner, though he is thankful now that his wife got work as a saleslady.
“Kalain lang panumdumon wala ako may e–support sa ila nga ako tani dapat masuporta sa ila. Gusto ko na ma-hug akon asawa kag kabataan hidlaw na gid ko sa ila,” he said.
Toto has no means of communicating with his family, even virtually.
What keeps him sane and grounded while in jail?
He reads the Bible and does gardening, “para ma-overcome ko akon kahidlaw sa ila,” he said.
Toto was detained at the BJMP beginning Jan. 1 this year after he was arrested in Manila on Sept. 5, 2020 through an arrest warrant for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
He said sometime in 2016 a neighbor of his accused him of drug pushing.
An operation was subsequently conducted against him, but he was able to escape.
A graduate of Basic Culinary Arts, Toto went to Manila and managed a carenderia there. He was brought back to this city to face his case.
If given the chance that his case be dismissed and he be released from jail, Toto said he would make up to his family. He also plans to put up a business.
“If God’s will nga makaguwa ‘ko, una ko himuon makaon kami nga mag pamilya sa sagua samtang ga storya ako sa ila about kay God nga dapat mag tu-o kag magsalig kita sa iya. Tapos ma negosyo ko para may ibuhi ko sa pamilya ko,” he said.
Presently, his case is still pending in court./PN
