CPDRC inmates face ‘Tokhang’
First operation reaches 500 of some 3,000 detainees
Campaign to persuade users and pushers to give up illegal drugs (Oplan Tokhang) extends to the Cebu provincial jail For security reasons, however, high-profile detainees like alleged drug lord Alvaro “Barok” Alvaro and Arnel Mait were excluded
NITA (real name withheld) was caught after she sold a pack of shabu to an undercover police officer in an anti-illegal drug operation in Dalaguete six years ago.
The 73-year-old expressed her regret because she remains inside the
Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) in Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City. The offense she committed is nonbailable and the penalty is life imprisonment.
“Tagam na ko uy. Dili na ko mamaligya (I learned my lesson. I will not sell again),” she said.
When asked why she sold illegal drugs, Nita said she had no other livelihood that could give her a bigger income back then.
Nita was one of the 500 inmates of the CPDRC who vowed not to go back to selling shabu and promised to reform their lives yesterday, during the Oplan Tokhang conducted by the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO).
3,008 inmates
The high-profile inmates, including suspected big-time drug personalities Alvaro “Barok” Alvaro and recently captured escapee Arnel Mait, were not part of the Oplan Tokhang or- ganized by the jail management and the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO).
Senior Insp. Zosimo Jabas of the CPPO-Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC) said that some other time, the two personalities will be requested not to sell illegal drugs anymore.
“Barok is a high-value inmate. We did not include him because we do not want to compromise our security,” he said.
The suspected drug lord surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation 7-Bohol Office last June 21, four days after alleged drug kingpin Jeffrey “Jaguar” Diaz was killed by operatives from the Police Regional Office 7, while in an operation in Las Piñas. Diaz hailed from Duljo Fatima in Cebu City.
Jabas said the police will continue the Oplan Tokhang in CPDRC until all of 3,008 inmates have been reached.
Watching
Jabas explained to the detainees that they will not face new charges if they sign the waiver.
“Moagi gihapon mo og profiling. Monitoron gihapon mo kon makagawas na (You will be profiled. After you are released, you will still be monitored),” he told them. “Seryoso ni nga programa, dili lang for compliance (We are serious about this program; this is not just for compliance).”
Jabas said the inmates who are caught trading or using illegal drugs inside prison will face sanctions, new criminal cases, and suspension of privileges such as regular visits by family members.
The inmates who are not facing drug charges are also included in the monitoring.
“Kon mag-usab na mo, magbag-o na mo, wala mo’y angayng kahadlokan (If you change, if you reform your lives, you have nothing to worry about),” Jabas said.