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BY TIFFANY ANNE TAN
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BACOLOD City – The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Negros Island Region is investigating the three inmates at the Negros Occidental District Jail (NODJ) who tested positive for drug use.
Chief Inspector Ruth Estales, jail warden, said the three were dormitory leaders at the BJMP-managed facility in Bago City, Negros Occidental.
They were among the 26 detainees who volunteered to take a drug test on Monday.
Estales said they were holding an election for dormitory leaders when they volunteered for the test. “Ang isa ka requirement [is] dapat ang mapadalagan sa sulod negative for drug use,” said the jail warden.
She refused to name the three inmates. All she said was they were isolated and their “good conduct allowance” suspended.
Estales declined to comment on how the inmates got their drug supply or how the security missed the entry of drugs into the jail. She insisted the BJMP’s Regional Investigation Division was looking into it.
But she promised they will impose stricter search among visitors. She also said there should be a regular random drug testing among the inmates.
Negrense Rep. Stephen Paduano (Abang Lingkod party-list) sought investigation into possible drug trade in BJMP-managed facilities across the country.
Paduano cited high-profile New Bilibid Prison inmate Jaybee Sebastian, who claimed that drug trafficking happens in the Manila City Jail.
It is highly likely that illegal drug trafficking also happens in other district and city jails, the congressman stressed.
“Mas maayo nga mapa-imbestigahan ang tanan nga jails sa cities and provinces,” said Paduano. “Ang natabo sa Manila City Jail sigurado ako gakatabo man sa iban nga jails naton di.”
Inmates involved in high-profile drug cases should be isolated, Paduano said. “Usually ginagamit nila ang mga iban nga inmates [sa] drug trade.”
He also suggested that the BJMP, the Bureau of Corrections and the jails be placed under one department.
They should be “streamlined,” said Paduano. “Isa lang sila dapat ka department, not under DOJ (Department of Justice) or DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government).”
Estrales stressed she is open to any investigation into the NODJ./PN
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