The United States aptly pointed to the root causes badgering the Philippines: Corruption and No Rule of Law.

The two are related: corruption is unabated because the law has short hands in punishing the guilty; crime is thus repeated wantonly without impunity. Nothing can be closer to the truth.

When Lady Justice limps rather than sprints (justice delayed, justice denied) and where there is no justice at all - anarchy, chaos and citizen demoralization follow. In extreme cases, this frustration leads others to take the law into their own hands.

In the rare occasions that the Law prevails, the penal system had created a jail atmosphere that sometimes contravenes the essence of distributive justice. Some jails in the country do not live up to its billing as the vehicle to give justice to the prisoners' victims who may have lost their lives, limb, property and honor or a combination thereof.

The relative harshness and hardship of prison life is the equivalent to the Jewish "eye for an eye" justice system but one supervised by the Law. Unfortunately, in real politics Philippines, even inside prison and among many of the nation's prisons - some people are luckier (or more privileged) than others.

For instance, jailbird former Zamboanga congressman Romeo Jalosjos (before he tried to flee the coop before his "release" time last year) was seen (by a friend who swears by the Bible) - (in jog pants, sunglasses, cap and all) -and with bodyguards yet - visiting a Quezon City popular spa for a "facial treatment," good gracious.

Unless he is gifted with the strange power of bi-location (to be in two places at the same time), it would have been impossible for the convicted child molester to traverse Muntinlupa to Quezon City - in heavy traffic still - without the go-signal of the powers-that-be.

Not so strange is the ever-growing popularity of the YouTube file of the hundreds of orange-clad Cebu City jailbirds dancing a Michael Jackson "Thriller" of sorts before a, well, thrilled worldwide audience.

Before the dawn assault last Tuesday of a composite team of (over 100 soldiers) of the Bohol Provincial Police Office, the Regional Special Reaction Unit (14 SWAT members from Cebu) and the Philippine Army - the infamous BDRC (Bohol Detention and Rehabilitation Center) was a candidate for the Guinness Book of Records for its violations and liberality. And why not?

Cells without locks, weapons and cache of drugs, overstaying visitors, violated visitation rights, tennis tournaments to include non-inmates, liberty to leave premises of some prisoners, two luxurious cells, localized food budget implementation and presence of sari-sari stores that made the BDRC a functioning boarding house dormitory.

The over 300 prisoners used people's money to pay for their food, shelter, electricity and water - but by golly, they were living like free men. They were run by a Council of Elders whose counsel was focused on excesses of liberties and ruled by a monolithic gang called "Batman" - but whose vision and mission are contrary to those of the famous comic character law-enforcer from Gotham City.

The Batman leader probably had a slew of "Robins" waiting for Batman to depart - to another prison, death or disability whichever came first. None of which edifies, actually - because it became a many-headed hydra monster.

The BDRC "subdivision" did a riot last April 13 to prove a point and threatened "bloodbath" if two of their endearing inmates (to them) would be shipped (as they should be) to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.

There was total breakdown of the rule of law and order - and in a matter of days the fire could break into a conflagration that may be harder to contain.

It was for this reason, Provincial Police Director SSupt Edgardo Ingking (PMA Class '92) did a blitzkrieg pre-emptive strike at the break of sunshine with an assault he described as "Shock and Awe" style.

The heavy staccato of gunfire while the inmates were dreaming about Ara Mina provided the "shock" and the "awe" was provided by the sheer number of soldiers (over 100) in full battle gear. The prisoners, indeed, were shocked and awed.

Any delay could have resulted in a prolonged gunfight or hostage situation that would have led to more casualties and property damage. It was the right game plan and executed well.

The inmate Nilo Corbita who allegedly fought with a .38 caliber gun got shot between the eyes - dead on the spot - was part of the territory. He was shot at close range by a marksman - trained not to take a risky enemy alive as a mere prisoner.

The assault was over in 10 minutes but the planning took days to unravel and the timing had to be perfect.

The over 300 heretofore noisy prisoners were tied with wires and waited face-down on their game courts as their cells were frisked for evidence. Some were found, according to the authorities.

The jail guards who became too familiar for comfort with the inmates (why not, they had credit lines at the sari-sari stores too) have been relieved and new Provincial Jail Warden Raul Mendez will stay on and clean the stable by also subjecting the inmates to one month of "disciplined" routines. And it is about time.

We cannot have jailed prisoners who have lost respect for authorities and a prison cell that have become an attractive alternative habitat to criminal minds who want free State-given board and lodging and living like free citizens of the land. That is unfair to the taxpayers and their victims.

The deterioration of the BDRC did not come swiftly; it was built up by years of laxity, accommodation and "no balls" management.

That the iron-hand order to "clean shop" came from Governor Erico Aumentado himself is apropos. He is after all, by law, the Chief Warden, of the BDRC.

He should take part of the blame for the BDRC deterioration but get full credit as well for restoring the "rule of law" in prison - one of the remaining symbols in our land that proves justice will work in the country.

For Comments: email to bingo_dejaresco@boholchronicle.com Or editor@boholchronicle.com