Regional Trial Court Judge Rafael Crescencio Tan Jr. of Negros Oriental is calling for an investigation into reports that shabu trading is rampant inside the Bureau of Jail Management & Penology in Barangay Bajumpandan, even as Operation Greyhound is regularly conducted to flush contrabands, such as bladed weapons and illegal drugs.
Tan lamented the drug situation in the City Jail is getting worse, and said he suspects that the peddling of drugs right inside the jail could be happening with the possible connivance of jail guards.
“I know of one prisoner who is always asking money from his parents purportedly to pay his debts inside the jail,” he added.
He added he was surprised by reports that a detainee was able to access his Facebook account while inside the jail, considering that no cell phones and other gadgets are allowed in the facility.
But Jail Warden Senior Insp. Josephus Jelianggao has vehemently denied such insinuations, and said he welcomes any investigation on the matter. He added they are regularly conducting Operation Greyhound.
A surprise joint inspection conducted with personnel of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency last month yielded cigarette lighters.
Jelianggao said a few months ago, an attempt to smuggle in sachets of shabu were foiled by the guards, and cases have been filed against the persons responsible for it, while the guards on duty received commendations.
He also conducted an investigation into reports that a prisoner was able to access his Facebook account. It was found that a detainee had provided his sibling the password of his FB account to check on private messages. The photos that were also posted on his FB wall were not recent ones, and none of the City Jail as feared.
There are currently 364 detainees at the City Jail that was built for a capacity of 107 inmates only.
More than 75 percent of the current inmates are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The facility has 16 closed-circuit television cameras, and wide nets blanketing the open space at the back of the jail, meant to deflect pouches of shabu and other contraband items that are reportedly thrown over the high walls and into the jail premises.
Judge Tan said that as custodians of persons suspected or convicted of crimes, jail wardens should not allow detainees to leave the jail premises, unless a court order is issued, or only in emergency medical situations.
He said that even allowing detainees “to gather firewood” for fuel for cooking purposes also needs official permission from the court. (PNA/JG)
