40 BJMP men watched for drug links

At least 40 Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) personnel are under close scrutiny for involvement in trafficking illegal drugs inside BJMPrun facilities.

BJMP Director Jail Chief Superintendent Allan Iral said the 40 bureau employees were found to be lenient in searching jail visitors who are suspected of bringing in drugs.

Iral noted that jail guards do not properly search visitors because “there is a go-signal from a particular personnel.”

BJMP spokesman Chief Inspector Xavier Solda said the bureau’s intelligence unit is closely monitoring the activities of the personnel under suspicion.

Once solid evidence is gathered, the bureau will file administrative cases of grave misconduct against personnel involved in the drug trade inside jails, Solda said.

Those who are caught in the act it will be charged by the Philippine National Police (PNP) or the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), he said.

Iral said scalawags in the bureau will be meted with the most severe sanctions.

Solda downplayed the number of scalawags in the bureau with drug links, saying they comprise only 0.29 percent of the 13,500-strong BJMP.

Like in any other organization, Solda said there will always be rogue personnel within the ranks.

Right after assuming office at the bureau on March 27, Iral ordered a crackdown on BJMP personnel with drug connections and those involved in other nefarious activities.

He said there will be surprise drug tests for BJMP personnel every quarter.

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

Recently, 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 (NCR).

The BJMP chief said it is up to DILG to decide the fate of the two bureau officers.