THE Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP 11) disposed of a total of 16,886 contraband as part of the bureau’s intensified campaign against the proliferation of illegal goods in jails from January 2017 to May this year.
Data obtained from BJMP-Davao showed that the region has disposed of 871 cigarette packs with 1,974 sticks, 13 illegal drug paraphernalia, 14 live bullets, 980 blade weapons, 8,756 scrap metals, 195 phones, and 6,057 other contraband.
From January to May this year, the region disposed 238 cigarette packs with 402 sticks, five illegal drug paraphernalia, 187 bladed weapons, 353 scrap metals, 74 phones and 2,482 other contraband like improvised weapons/accessories.
BJMP-Davao spokesperson Jail Inspector Edo Lobenia said the disposal of the contraband their personnel intercepted before their jail facilities here is a living testament that they are working hard in enhancing public safety in the region.
Lobenia said the activity is also part of the "Oplan Linis Piitan" campaign earlier launched by the BJMP central office to combat the entry of contraband and their removal from facilities of the bureau nationwide.
"This is also for the community awareness that we do not recycle the contraband that we had confiscated. The public deserves to know this kind of efforts of the BJMP personnel and staff," Lobenia said.
Lobenia also said the BJMP supports the campaign of the president, Rodrigo Duterte, in eradicating illegal drugs in the country, particularly in Davao City.
"As we all know, Davao is the backyard of the president. We have to double our efforts in cleaning our jail facilities against illegal drugs and any other illegal contraband," Lobenia said.
The destruction of confiscated contraband agrees with the celebration of National Correctional Consciousness Week every October, which was declared under Proclamation No. 551 series of 1995 issued by then president, Fidel Ramos.