THE Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) yesterday vowed to dismiss from the service any of its personnel found using illegal drugs.
The bureau issued the statement as it welcomed Interior Secretary Benjamin “Benjur” Abalos’ planned surprise inspections of jail facilities and random drug testing of BJMP personnel and inmates.
During the Laging Handa public briefing, BJMP spokesman Supt. Xavier Solda said maintaining discipline within the bureau has been one of the thrusts of BJMP chief Director Allan Iral.
“And should there be, even a single member (of the bureau), who will test positive for use of illegal drugs, we are not going to forgive them,” Solda said.
“They don’t deserve to be in the service if they lack the discipline, more so if they are into illegal drugs,” Solda added.
During a visit at the BJMP headquarters in Quezon City last Tuesday, Abalos vowed to conduct surprise inspections and random drug tests in jails managed by the bureau.
Abalos noted “rumors” that some big-time drug lords continue to peddle illegal drugs even if they are in jails.
Solda said the BJMP welcomes the pronouncement of Abalos because he is finding time to visit the jails to find out various concerns, including illegal drugs.
Solda said that out of 477 jails under the BJMP, 262 were declared by the BJMP, PNP and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) as drug- free.
“A drug-free jail is a facility that has no drug personalities, no drug users, and no illegal drugs after a conduct of search and seizure operations in jail for three consecutive months by PDEA,” Solda said.
Solda said 40 other jails are considered drug-cleared.
Solda said the bureau also welcomes the statement of Abalos that signal jammers should be installed in jails to prevent detained drug lords from contacting their men outside.
