MM jails congested due to drug arrests

MANILA, Philippines – Detention cells in police stations in Metro Manila are becoming congested amid the government’s war on drugs, a police official said yesterday.

But this will not stop authorities from going after around 450,000 suspected drug pushers and users in the metropolis, according to National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Oscar Albayalde.

With the success of the campaign against illegal drugs, Albayalde said jails in police stations meant only for 15 detainees are occupied by 30 inmates.

“Because of the congested jails, some detainees have to find ways to make themselves a little bit comfortable,” he said.

Albayalde said he would coordinate with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to address the congestion problem in jails.

“We will also ask the courts to speed up the resolution of cases against drug suspects so they can be transferred to the BJMP custody,” he said.

The NCRPO visited at least 569,375 houses in Metro Manila last year under Oplan Tokhang.

Albayalde said 203,426 suspected drug personalities have surrendered to police since the Duterte administration launched the drug war in June last year.

The NCRPO chief expressed confidence they could meet their target by doubling their Oplan Tokhang operations.

Albayalde said Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, chairman of the Peace and Order Council in Metro Manila, was coordinating with other mayors to solve the jail congestion problem.

“With the government and other stakeholders getting involved, there is no doubt that we will succeed in the war on drugs,” Albayalde said.