AN OFFICIAL of the Cagayan de Oro City Jail over the weekend said a squad has been formed to keep the detention facility free from cigarette smoking, illicit drugs and other contraband.
Jail warden Superintendent Kenny Ronquillo said an Anti-Contraband Squad (ACS) was created early this month to ensure illegal items and contraband could not sneak inside the jail.
The ACS is composed of Special Tactics and Response Team, an elite force from the Bureau of Jail and Management and Penology (BJMP) in Northen Mindanao.
Ronquillo said the ACS was formed based on the prototype combination of the “Operation: Tagmata” from BJMP-National Capital Region and the ACS of Davao City Jail.
“It was created to intensify the ongoing campaign against illegal drugs and contraband,” Ronquillo said.
“It was formed to eradicate the proliferation of the contraband like drugs, deadly weapons, cellphones and other illegal gadgets,” he added.
Among the functions of the squad is to impose a strict search on visitors and BJMP personnel coming in and out of the jail.
Ronquillo has ordered the conduct of investigation and activation of the disciplinary board after an initial accomplishment was submitted by the squad.
Ronquillo said the male dormitory of the city jail had received the Red Orchid Award last year, an award given by the health department for detention facilities which are successful in their anti-smoking drive.
The City Jail Management intensifies the campaign against smoking for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL), to ensure detainees would not get sick because of smoking, especially prison cells are now crowded with nearly 2,500 inmates.
Ronquillo has urged visitors and families of detainees to support the campaign so it would help them focus on their path to reformation by following the jail rules and regulations.