BJMP seeks transfer of San Mateo jail

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) is calling for the immediate transfer of the flood-prone San Mateo Jail for the safety and welfare of its 240 inmates.

Senior Inspector Darwin Agullo, jail warden of the San Mateo Jail said typhoon “Pedring” caused heavy floodings at the detention center last Tuesday, prompting the evacuation of the inmates.

In a report to DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, through BJMP-NCR Director Benito Dorigo, Agullo said the inmates were brought to a nearby school as water rose to a critical level.

However, Agullo said transporting inmates to an evacuation shelter poses great risk as prisoners might take advantage of the situation and escape.

“There is really a need to build a new detention facility on a higher ground to avoid the recurrence of said incident,” he said.

It can be recalled that the detention cell was submerged in water at height of typhoon “Ondoy” in 2009.

Agullo requested San Mateo Rizal Mayor Jose Rafael Diaz to provide a site for a new jail either in Barangay Modesta or Barangay Pintong Bukawe.