Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III has ordered more stringent security measures at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) after illegal drug paraphernalia were found in the jail facility a few days ago.
Davide said the seized items may have been sneaked in the jail facility by visitors.
Capitol jail consultant Marco Toral was asked to conduct regular inspections on the cells.
“I’ve always believed that drugs are still there. That’s why I told Mr. Toral to have a regular checkup on the cells of the inmates,” the governor told reporters yesterday.
“Upon entry of the visitors, strict measures should be implemented. They’ve been practicing that for some time now but still, these things escape,” he added.
But despite the inspection, illegal drugs still find its way inside the jail.
“If you’re aware that some stick it (drugs) in their butt, in their underwear. Some liquefy the drug and place it inside bottled water. So you wouldn’t really know. The guards should be aware and vigilant of these practices,” Davide said.
Issues of the presence of illegal drugs inside the provincial jail came out once again following the arrest of a woman in Liloan town who named a detainee at CPDRC as the person who sold shabu to her.
According to lawyer Jocelyn Pilapil, jail guards then swooped in Jino Pilapil’s cell at CPDRC.
The search yielded illegal drug paraphernalia and prohibited items such as three cellular phones, tinfoils, and a pocket WiFi.
However, Davide said the information Pilapil gave to the police was false and that the inmate was not the source of the illegal drugs.
“I’ve spoken to Mr. Toral. After the report saying the source was in CPDRC, it turns out that the girl just tried to involve the name of the inmate. It was not true,” he explained.
Earlier, CPDRC warden Romeo Manansala said they are also looking into the possibility that some jail guards and personnel were in cahoots with unscrupulous people in smuggling illegal drugs into the facility.
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