Bohol jail guard arrested for drugs

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — Jail guard Ernesto Vistal, assigned as temporary worker of the Bohol District Jail (BDJ), was caught by his fellow guards when he allegedly tried to sneak in shabu inside the prison, according to Vice Governor Dionisio Victor Balite yesterday.

Jail authorities, led by BDJ Warden Jail Chief Inspector Felipe Montejo, seized from Vistal two big packs, or bulto, of shabu worth at least P300,000 in street value, Balite said.

Vistal however denied having peddled the prohibited drugs but admitted the contraband came from a certain "Dan," with no family name, per information provided by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

The two packs were allegedly intended for the two cells where inmates, identified only as "Toraya" and "Salumen," are detained.

But "Toraya" bluntly denied that the drugs were intended for him, said Balite. It was also learned that the drugs was for the birthday celebration of an inmate named "Albert," but the vice governor said this still has to be verified.

Governor Edgardo Chatto bared during his weekly press conference that he ordered Provincial Legal Officer Boloy Boiser, also acting as provincial administrator, to conduct an investigation into the incident and file charges against Vistal.

"It's sad that this happened at BDJ," Chatto said, as he.also ordered for the immediate dismissal of Vistal, who he appointed as casual worker, with 52 others, for BDJ, to be paid by the provincial government.

Vistal is a resident of Barangay Dagohoy in Inabanga, Bohol, and has been with BDJ since February 1, 2000 with a monthly salary of P7,000. (FREEMAN)