Inmates told to cooperate in war on drugs

Cebu City policemen convene inmates of the Cebu City Jail and urge them to stay away from illegal drugs (CDN PHOTO/ ADOR MAYOL)

INMATES of the Cebu City Jail were told to cooperate with the police’s campaign to eliminate drug dealing activities within and outside prison by police officials in Wednesday’s visit.

“Let’s solve the problem on illegal drugs. Help the authorities and we will help you in return,” Chief Insp. Narolf Tan of the City Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Team (CAIDSOT) told the inmates in Cebuano.

Of the 3,200 inmates of the Cebu City Jail, 1,900 or 55 percent are facing drug cases in court, said Supt. Jessie Calumpang, the facility’s jail warden. He advised the inmates to give up and reject the illegal drug trade or face sanctions.

The Oplan Taphang (Tapok-Hangyo) conducted nearly two months yielded 70 grams of shabu estimated at P240,00, more than P4.6 million in suspected drug proceeds, and hundreds of other contraband items.

“I hope you would be enlightened. I want the Cebu City Jail to be drug free. If you won’t cooperate in this Oplan Tokhang/Taphang, then you might become a victim of Oplan Tikwang (You might get killed),” Calumpang said.

Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak, who was present during the event yesterday, said the city government is planning to increase the food allowance intended for the inmates.

“The funds are ready. What we need is your support. Right now, the image of the Cebu City Jail is really bad. You need to cooperate with us,” he said in Cebuano.

“In the name of your family and your children, please help us solve the problem on illegal drugs. Just think of what will happen to your family if you’ll get killed in the process?,” Tumulak said.

Tumulak, the deputy mayor on police matters, said all the government wanted is to promote the well-being of its people.

“We are concern about you. That is why we call your attention or make an arrest if you commit mistakes. Why can’t you just try to do what is good and legal?,” he said.

Clad in full battle gear, about 300 policemen raided the Cebu City Jail last August 13 and discovered 70 grams of shabu, mobile phones, bladed weapons, flat screen television sets, personal appliances, ampules of Nubain (injectable painkiller) and several drug paraphernalia.

Bundles of bills and packs of coins amounting to P4,653,400 were also seized. As a result, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) ordered a major shake-up at the Cebu City Jail , including the relief of then jail warden Supt. Johnson Calub and guards assigned in the city jail for more than three years.