JAIL wardens in Mandaue City have welcomed the passage of a local ordinance banning the unauthorized use, possession and smuggling of mobile phones and other electronic communication devices inside the city’s detention facilities.
The ordinance, recently approved on second reading by the City Council, is aimed at supporting efforts to maintain order and security within the jail system. Jail officials said mobile phones remain among the most commonly smuggled contraband items.
While internal rules set by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) already prohibit such devices, jail authorities said the lack of legal penalties previously hindered enforcement.
“Before the ordinance, all we could do was confiscate the item and issue warnings. Now that there are clear penalties, this is a big help to us,” said Shela Serrano, jail warden of the female dormitory.
She said the new measure strengthens their authority and supports BJMP’s broader goal of professionalizing jail operations and closing security loopholes.
The female dormitory, which houses 94 inmates, has not recorded any incidents of smuggling, Serrano said.
“So far, in the female dorm, we haven’t encountered any incidents of contraband being sneaked in. There’s nothing like that,” she said.
Penalty
Under the ordinance, any individual — including persons deprived of liberty, jail officers, administrative staff and visitors — caught sneaking in or using unauthorized mobile phones or similar devices faces a fine of P5,000 and/or imprisonment of three to six months. Jail personnel found violating the ordinance will also be disqualified from receiving city allowances.
Councilor Oscar Del Castillo Jr., the ordinance’s author, said the BJMP initially proposed a P10,000 fine, but this was reduced to P5,000 in line with legal constraints.
Use of electronic devices will only be allowed under strict conditions, such as during emergency situations, court-related online hearings, or through the e-dalaw program and only with gadgets that are officially registered with the facility. Jail staff are required to declare all devices upon entry, including brand, model and type.
Jail Supt. John Conrad Marcilino Basilio, warden of the male dormitory, also expressed support for the measure.
“We are glad about the ordinance because it gave the law more teeth, it now has a penalty. The protocols can now be enforced more strictly,” he said.
Basilio noted that the male facility is more vulnerable to smuggling, as its open layout allows contraband to be thrown over the perimeter fence. Nearby residential communities also pose additional challenges, he said.
However, he emphasized that the new ordinance, ensures violators will face legal consequences. All confiscated devices will be turned over to the BJMP or relevant authorities for proper handling.
The ordinance, officially titled “An Ordinance Prohibiting Any Person/s from Sneaking In, Using or Possessing Unauthorized Mobile Phones and Other Electronic Communication Devices Inside the Jail Facilities within the Territorial Jurisdiction of Mandaue City and Prescribing Penalties Thereof,” will take effect 15 days after it is signed by the mayor. / CAV