“Bogus probe” at district jail?

 

• ·         Calls mount for drug tests on jailguards

Fearing a whitewash in the investigation of jailguards at the Bohol District Jail (BDJ) who are faced with controversies on the discovery of illegal drugs and the escape of three inmates, well meaning citizens are calling on provincial officials to take a personal interest into the matter.

This developed as a team of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) sent a team from its regional office in Cebu City to conduct its own investigation on the entry of illegal drugs, specifically shabu (metamphetamine hydrochloride) inside the detention facility and the caper of three detainees last month.

Comments sent to dyRD/Chronicle urged provincial lawmakers to conduct its own investigation, instead of just allowing the BJMP to look into the irregularities at the BDJ.

Well-meaning citizens were likewise surprised that no mandatory drug testing was ordered by the BJMP regional directorate, even after the team which they sent here initially found six personnel, 5 of whom are BJMP officers, liable for the recent discovery of shabu in one of the detention cells and at the prison’s canteen.

Two inmates and two other former inmates of the BDJ disclosed to dyRD/Chronicle of a “drug ring” run by a group of inmates, all of whom detained for drug-related charges, is operating within the prison compound like a syndicate.

Their drug dealing activities, apparently with the knowledge of jailguards, even reach out to drug peddlers in Tagbilaran City and even in the towns, according to the dyRD/Chronicle sources who spoke on condition that their identities be protected.

According to said inmates, it is unlikely that jailguards are not aware of the illegal drug activity within the prison compound.

On Tuesday, Jail Senior Inspector Richard Laure ordered a “greyhound” inspection in all cells and facilities of the BDJ following an intelligence report that the supposed “drug ring” has just received a new delivery of shabu from their supplier.

The thorough check revealed several stashes of shabu, with an estimated street value of P300,000, were being held by inmates at Cell No. 4, the same cell block were a previous inspection last month netted a similar quantity of the illegal substance. Inmate Enrico Peticio was also found in possession of 22 sachets of shabu during the inspection.

Since the BJMP is directly under the jurisdiction of the Department of Interior and Local Government, there is already a mounting call for the agency to order a mandatory drug test to all prison guards of the BDJ.

Moreover, the provincial government, must also recommend a further investigation on the caper of three inmates last month, two of whom were killed in a shootout after resisting arrest in Ubay, while the third, Exequil Aniscal, is still at large.