Visiting privileges suspended for 60 CPDRC inmates

The visiting privileges of at least 60 inmates in the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) has been suspended starting today after yesterday’s greyhound yielded illegal drugs smuggled and stored in their cells.

A greyhound operation was conducted yesterday, past 6 a.m., with the Provincial Public Safety Company of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO – PPSC) and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT).

Police seized 6.1 grams of suspected shabu valued at P71, 800, cash of different denominations amounting to P2,400 believed to be proceeds from illegal numbers game, drug paraphernalia, cellphones, and several deadly improvised weapons.

The two packs of shabu, according to CPDRC Task Force member Roberto Legaspi, were retrieved from cells number 26 nad 98, wherein high-profiled inmates Jenyfer Peregrino and Russel Calida belong.

In earlier reports, it was revealed that Peregrino and Calida were among the targets of the greyhound last Thursday.

“The visiting rights of the inmates (in cells number 26 and 98) are suspended until further notice…it could be from 15 days to a month. Because of the gravity of the contraband found. It’s not just deadly weapon – it was suspected shabu,” stated Legaspi.

In addition, he said the inmates in these cells may face additional complaints for violating the Dangerous Drugs Act (Republic Act 9165).

“But as to who particularly, we will have to wait for the outcome of the investigations. The drugs seized yesterday is now under investigation. The police is undertaking the matter now, and if they recommend to file complaints against them, then we can file,” Legaspi said.

As to why the suspension of the privileges only apply to prisoners in cells 26 and 98, Legaspi said that the CPDRC Task Force is ‘giving the benefit of the doubt’ on the rest.

“We’re giving them the benefit of the doubt. Some of them are also trying hard to clean up because of the people engaged in drugs. This time, we also felt that some who are not involved into illegal drugs have families who want to visit them,” he explained.

However, in the event that illegal drugs will be recovered in the next greyhound operation, Legaspi said Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III may suspend the visiting privileges of all detainees.

“The next time it happens, well, the governor wanted to apply it (suspension of visiting privileges) to the whole population,” said Legaspi.

19 cells in CPDRC were subjected during yesterday’s greyhound operation in CPDRC, the fourth one this year, and sixth since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office.

More than half of the 3,541 prisoners were instructed to stay in the quadrangle as authorities searched their cells for any contraband for three hours in the morning – from 6 a.m. to around 9:30 a.m.

PPSC Chief Supt. Mario Baquiran Jr. said the recent greyhound was conducted as part of their regular inspection for CPDRC.