City jail told to implement strict security measures
Cebu City Councilor David Tumulak has ordered the City Jail management to go in full gear implementing security measures following the series of apprehensions of visitors who tried to sneak contraband into the penitentiary.
Tumulak, deputy mayor for police matters, said the visitors are innovating ways to sneak in contraband, stressing the need for the jail management to be always one step ahead.
“Ongoing man ang investigation ato na gani gipaapil ang PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency), and PNP (Philippine National Police) just to clarify and to check kon unsa ka tinuod nga kining mga tawhana involved sa illegal drugs especially ang drug business diha sulod sa city jail,” he told reporters.
Last Saturday, two female visitors were arrested after they attempted to smuggle shabu inside the jail by hiding the illegal drugs in their private parts.
The jail management apprehended Marlyn Estorgio, 20, and Violeta Bacus, 43, who were already charged for violating Section 11 (possession of dangerous drugs) of the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Bacus carried with her 73.2 grams of shabu while Estorgio brought 4.8 grams, which authorities pegged at P350,000.
Tumulak said the jail management has apprehended another female visitor, a certain Grace Abella, who carried with her 38 transparent nubain ampoules placed and mixed in peanut butter spread last Tuesday.
He said he is thankful to the jail officers and the city's barangay intelligence network that are doing extra efforts to detect the “innovations” done by the visitors.
City Jail Warden Renante Rubio, for his part, assured that the jail management will always be one step ahead of these smugglers.
As for other jail concerns, Tumulak said he will personally assist the jail management in addressing the scarcity of water supply for the 5,044 inmates inside the facility.
Tumulak said he will tap Metropolitan Cebu Water District for possible augmentation of the facility's water supply.
He said he will also coordinate with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology to assist the city jail in addressing the water supply problem.
“Ang BJMP regional office magpalit og tubig para ika deliver sa mga piniriso sa city jail ug kita pud sa city government mo support pud ta sa tubig nga panginahanglanon sa atong mga piniriso. Ongoing nani karon but kulangan gihapon kay ang usa ka truck kulangon man sa usa ka adlaw tungod na sa 5,044 inmates,” he said.