Freedom and Death Inside the Jail.pdf - The Action Program for ...

Fire: Structural Responses
The most powerful officer is the mayor. He is
the key decision maker. His functions include
looking after the well being of inmates, mediating
in conflicts and imposing disciplinary actions
on erring inmates, generating and disbursing
income for the cell, auctioning the kubol and
tarima to the members, initiating projects for the
improvement of the cell, and representing the
cell during meetings with brigada leaders and
the Jail Warden.
Next in line is the bise mayor. He acts as the
mayor of the cell every time the latter is out during
hearings. He also acts as counselor at large for
the mayor. The bise mayor usually assumes the
position of the mayor when the latter is released
or transferred to the Muntinlupa Penitentiary if
convicted.
The bastonero is dreaded most by inmates
as he is also the main disciplinary officer. He
investigates complaints raised by inmates and
makes recommendations to the mayor. If an
inmate is found guilty, the bastonero executes
the punishment. As such, he is tagged as the
berdugo (executioner) of the cell.
There are other officers who help the mayor,
bise mayor, and bastonero oversee the daily activities
in the cell. There is the kulturero who is
in charge of the headcount, hearings, and other
custodial needs of inmates. The chief bantay buyon
oversees the maintenance of the cleanliness
of the cell. A watchman called chief mahinarya
is the mayor’s point man during nighttime. The
bantay pinto controls the cell’s gate to monitor
the movement of inmates.
The mayor may also create positions for
inmates who he thinks can help him run the
cell. There are technical positions that are usually
given to inmates who have attained higher
education. These include the positions of the
cell secretary, treasurer, and auditor. These officers
make sure that the cell funds are properly
accounted but they do not have policy-making
powers.
A bantay-pinto monitors the entry and exit of
cellmates.
An inmate has to be in the good graces of the
The first job order of a buyonero is to maintain
Brigada officers have more elaborate functions.
In the brigade level, the head of the cell mayors
is called the Mayor de Mayores. The MdM, as he
is commonly called, maintains general supervi- Aside from cleaning the comfort room, the buyonero
is also tasked to wash the dishes for his ka-rancho.
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