Tumulak to ask BJMP for more jail guards

CEBU, Philippines - Councilor David Tumulak will sponsor a resolution this coming Tuesday to ask the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) national headquarters for additional jail guards at the Cebu City Jail in Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City.

This, after the recent “Oplan Galugad” uncovered illegal items that include lighters, cellular phones, improvised weapons, weighing scale, needles, appliances, drug paraphernalia and nubain inside the jail facility.

Tumulak, who heads the committee on public order and safety and who stands as deputy mayor on police matters, said there is a need to ask for additional jail guards in the facility to make sure that everything is well-monitored.

At present, there are about more than a hundred jail officers assigned at the Cebu City Jail monitoring at least 4,310 inmates.

“Supposedly 7 is to 1 na.  Seven inmates with one jail guard.  But sa city jail nato, wala na nato na-follow tungod sa kakuwang sa jail guards,” he said.

Tumulak believes that the lack of jail personnel could be one of the reasons why the illegal items can be easily brought inside the facility.

“Dili tingali makabantay dayon kay gamay ra gud na ang morikisa sa mga modalaw.  Unya stressed pa ang mga jail guards kay, from early morning to afternoon, sila gud na ang na-assign, walay putol-putol.  So, hangyo lang ta nga atoang padungagan,” he added.

Tumulak considered the recent operation as successful considering that the law enforcers discovered contraband items inside the prison.

He said the “Oplan Galugad” was only at the 4th floor of the male dormitory facility. Subsequent operations will cover the other levels of the building.

The purpose of the operation was to dismantle the shanties of inmates inside the respective detention cells, following reports that there are still inmates who continue selling illegal drugs inside and outside the city jail.

“Aside ato sa pagbungkag sad sa ilahang kubol-kubol, ma-decongest atoang jail kay tungod man gud ana ang uban nagbutang og katre unya unfair sa ubang piniriso,” Tumulak said.

Earlier, Tumulak received reports that there are at least 25 suspected inmates involved in selling illegal drugs.

The alleged illegal drug operation of inmates reportedly reaches some barangays that include Pulang Bato, Pasil, Suba, Calamba, Guadalupe, Bulacao, Ermita, Carreta, Kasambagan, Talamban and Duljo.

BJMP Jail Warden Superintendent Arnel Peralta was just baffled why no drugs were found during the raid.

With this, Tumulak and Peralta believe that there is transferring of illegal drugs inside the facility to make sure they would not be discovered. (FREEMAN)