I was permanent Shore Patrol from 74-76. Started off on patrol duty, (paddy wagon), then went to dispatcher and finally to Liaison Officer. I was assigned a desk in the Olongapo P.D and any military member who came in as a suspect or victim had to go through my desk before they could go to the desk sergeant. Once a month I was tasked with providing the incarcerated sailors, marines or airmen with a “care” package of canned foods, coffee, sugar, cup of noodles and cigarettes.
All of these items were used as trade for protection. The jail was filthy, no fans or AC, overcrowded and had benches for sitting. Sleeping was on the floor because there were only a few bunks in each cell. Toilets were buckets and the stench was constantly there.
You did not want to be in the local jail. The national government prisons were totally different. There was a retired Chief who was arrested for possession of a firearm and was sent to the national prison. Because he was a retired cook, (actually he was a great chef), he was put in charge of the kitchen, had a private cell, tv, fans, a stateside style queen bed and mattress and was escorted to town 2-4 nights a week to the local bars for entertainment.
With money and connections prison life in the Philippines can be very comfortable.
Great information!
I always said that PT Barnum would have loved Olongapo, but never could make up my mind if it was a circus or a zoo.
Other than my duty accompanying the Shore Patrol, I never visited Olongapo, preferring to “stay out of temptation/trouble”. I spent my Saturday nights at the Air Station go-kart track. ;-)
When Mt Pinatubo flattened it with ash, I figured that was the long overdue “wrath of God”. Thankfully, it was not lava or a pyroclastic flow!