40 BJMP officers probed for drugs

MANILA, Philippines — At least 40 officers of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) are under investigation for alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade, an official announced yesterday.

Some of these officers are protecting visitors of inmates who smuggle drugs in jails, according to BJMP director Brig. Gen. Allan Iral.

“They are turning a blind eye to illegal activities in prisons. They do not properly search visitors because there is a go-signal from a particular personnel,” Iral said.

He said some of the BJMP officers are suspected to be drug pushers and users.

Maj. Xavier Solda, spokesman for the BJMP, said the bureau’s intelligence unit is closely monitoring the activities of the erring personnel.

Solda did not disclose other details so as not to jeopardize the investigation.

“We are coordinating with the Philippine National Police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on the matter,” he said.

Solda downplayed the number of scalawags in their ranks with suspected drug links, saying they comprised only 0.29 percent of the 13,500-strong BJMP.

Iral ordered a crackdown on BJMP personnel allegedly involved in drugs and other illegal activities when he assumed leadership of the bureau last month.

Among his initiatives is the conduct of quarterly surprise drug tests to weed out users among jail officers.

“All jail personnel who are involved in drugs should be dismissed from the service,” Iral said.

Earlier, Iral recommended to Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año the dismissal of two BJMP personnel who tested positive for drug use.

He refused to name the jail officers, who are assigned outside the National Capital Region.

“If it’s for dismissal, the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) chief is the one who will decide,” Iral said.