Chatto seeks NBI help in probing drugs at jail

CEBU, Philippines - Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto has sought help from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in his intensified campaign against the proliferation of illegal drugs at the provincial jail.

“We would like to request your good office to conduct an investigation on (this) matter in coordination with the BJMP to ensure impartiality in the handling of the case,” Chatto said in his letter addressed to NBI Director Virgilio Mendez, who is a Boholano.

The governor’s letter, coursed through NBI-7 regional director Antonio Pagatpat, sought for NBI’s assistance after reports have indicated that inmates and their visitors at the Bohol Detention and Rehabilitation Center (BDRC) have been “casually” engaged in illegal drug trade.

Last week, a BDRC visitor was caught in possession of shabu when jail guards conducted bodily search on the suspect, identified as Christopher Cahilis, who introduced himself as a friend of inmate Bienvenido Tejada.

Senior Insp. Jose Rusylvi Abueva, head of the Bohol Detention and Rehabilitation Center (BDRC), said also arrested was Rudy Tagulob, Cahilis’ companion, but there was no drugs seized from him.

Seized from Cahilis were two transparent packs containing suspected shabu, receipts of a remittance center, a wallet, a cut of cigarette cartoon, and P500 cash.

Abueva said Cahilis visited the BDRC twice in January, but in his third visit last week, jail authorities started suspecting his motive of visiting the jail when he was found in possession of tightly wrapped carton box which contained shabu.

Cahilis, now placed at the Tagbilaran City Police lock-up jail, will be facing charges of violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

In an interview, Abueva told media he would beef up security measures at the BDRC to avoid repeat of similar incident. BDRC guards received flak from the public for having been reportedly lenient with the “ins and outs” of inmates and visitors there.

Reports said some drug pushers, now languishing at the BDRC, have found it more lucrative to sell drugs while being detained at the BDRC than when being free outdoor.

There were also reports indicating that some jail guards were in cahoots with illegal drug peddlers, making the underground drug trade a smooth business inside the jail. A source said shabu buyers would pose as inmates’ visitors although they intend to buy the prohibited item from an inmate, who was also a drug pusher.

In June 2012, jail guards uncovered packs of shabu stashed inside one of the cells at BDRC. (FREEMAN)