WITH the passage of the ordinance on penalizing the sneaking in, using, and carrying of prohibited items in jail and detention centers in the city, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-Davao is confident that the entry of contrabands will be prevented and their internal cleansing effort will get a boost.
Jail Inspector Edo Lobenia, BJMP-Davao spokesperson and chief community relations service officer, lauded the approval of the ordinance proposed under the committee on public safety chaired by Davao City Councilor Mabel Acosta last May 29 as this will be a big help in eradicating prohibited items being sneaked inside the jail.
This will also back their campaign on internal cleansing within their ranks as the ordinance covers not only private individuals but also the jail officers. Those who will be found violating the ordinance will face penalties.
Based on their statistics, almost 80 percent of the contrabands were sneaked or brought inside the detention facility.
“We wanted to tell the public that we are very serious. We want to eradicate drugs sa ating mga kulungan. The BJMP is very proactive in terms of dealing with these contrabands,” Lobenia said.
The ordinance targets to prevent any occurrence of death, riots, retaliation, orchestrated crimes, and bribing of the jail or detention center officials, among others.
The ordinance prohibits the sneaking in, using, and carrying of dangerous drugs and paraphernalia, bladed weapon, deadly weapons, firearm, ammunition, improvised explosive device, tobacco and e-cigarettes, alcoholic beverage, excessive cash, mobile phone, electronic devices, pornographic materials and gadgets, and gambling paraphernalia.
“We are very much grateful for this kind of endeavor especially kasi magkakaroon tayo ng deterring factor in terms of bringing of contrabands. At the same time, this is also a breakthrough sa Philippines kasi I think this is the first time na may ganitong ordinance na naipasa with yong mga penalties niya,” he added.
They warned those who plang to bring contrabands to reconsider as they will intensify their inspection procedure.
Private individuals who are caught violating this ordinance will be fined P5,000 and/or will be banned entry in the facility for six months for the first offense. For the second offense, the individual will be fined P5,000 and will be banned entry in the facility for nine months. For the third offense, the offender will be fined P5,000 and will be banned entry in the facility for 12 months.
Same penalties apply for personnel of jail and detention centers who are caught violating the ordinance. (JCR)