Greyhound operation in 3 jails yields drugs, weapons

CEBU, Philippines - Several drug paraphernalia, improvised bladed weapons and cellular phones were among the items confiscated in a simultaneous greyhound operation yesterday of the Bureau of Jail and Management Penology-7 in jails in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.

As early as 5 a.m., the male inmates of the Cebu City Jail vacated their dorms and gathered at the CCJ’s grounds as police authorities conducted a surprise inspection inside the cells.

The operation led to the confiscation of drug paraphernalia, two sachets of suspected shabu, improvised bladed weapons, cellular phones and entertainment appliances.

The operation was conducted by the BJMP-7, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 and the Police Regional Office-7.

Jail Chief Superintendent Allan Iral, regional director of BJMP-7, said this is their way of showing to everybody, especially to the inmates, that they have “zero tolerance on illegal drugs.”

He admitted though that even with the greyhound operations, it is not easy to eradicate drugs inside the jails.

“We cannot deny that. Naa gyud na kasi ang atong facility pud diri, dili sad ideal gud. Congested ang atong jail then ang majority of our inmates diri, drugs pud ang kaso nila,” he said.

Iral said one weakness of the CCJ is that it does not have any high-tech detectors, which is why visitors only undergo manual inspections.

“So naa gyu’y possibility nga malutsan gyud ang atong gwardiya,” said Iral.

But he disclosed that the Department of the Interior and Local Government already has a plan to provide the jails with the nee-ded detectors.

As of now, the CCJ’s jail warden, Superintendent Johnson Calub, said they cannot promise that they can totally eradicate illegal drugs in the facility but assured that they will minimize their proliferation.

“Kay lahi-lahi man sad gud ni ang pamaagi sa uban. Ang uban, sa ilang private parts unya naa sad baya mi limitations sa among pag-search because of human rights,” said Calub.

On the other hand, Iral said yesterday’s operation was better than the previous ones since there were lesser contrabands confiscated.

He said one of the reasons behind the development is that BJMP personnel will already be subjected to administrative sanctions if there is any negligence on their part.

“They have to do their part para malinis nato ang jails nato diri sa region se-ven,” said Iral.

After hearing the greyhound operation conducted at the Cebu City Jail, Mayor Michael Rama said a series of operations should be conducted to prevent the further proliferation of illegal paraphernalia inside the facility.

In a press conference yesterday, Rama said he was happy that authorities have conducted the operation yesterday.

“I am happy that they did it. If they have not done it, I will do what I have done before,” he told reporters, saying that he led the greyhound operation of then Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center.

Earlier, he said the city’s Police Coordinating and Advisory Council would conduct its own operation inside the jail.

“We will not announce. It remains to be seen,” Rama said.

PCAC is composed of different agencies like the BJMP, Cebu City Jail, Cebu City Police Office, Cebu Police Provincial Office, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Fire Protection, among others.

Lapu-Lapu City and Mandaue city jails

A roll of marijuana and some pointed objects were also seized inside the Mandaue City Jail.

This was disclosed by Gil Inopia Jr., the chief warden of the facility.

Also, at the Lapu-Lapu City Jail, a sim card and an SD memory card, a syringe and a small sachet containing residues of suspected shabu were found inside the male inmates’ dormitory.

Senior Inspector Dennis Aliño, chief warden of the Lapu-Lapu City jail, said apart from the few items, no deadly weapons were seized inside the jail.

There are 1,358 male inmates inside the facility, while in the female dormitory, there are 104 detainees. The Lapu-Lapu City Jail has 60 wardens. — Ma. Fatima R. Secuya, Jean Marvette A. Demecillo and Christell Fatima M. Tudtud/ATO