Pubdate: Wed, 06 Apr 2005 Source: Freeman, The (Philippines) Copyright: 2005 The Freeman Contact: http://www.thefreeman.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3437 Author: Fred P. Languido Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines DESPITE TIGHT SECURITY: DRUGS, KNIVES INFEST CPDRC Modern security gadgets are not, after all, a hindrance to Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center inmates to smuggle drugs and other illegal items into the jail. Newly reinstated consultant on security Byron Garcia discovered that smuggling of drugs and other illegal items into the provincial jail became rampant during his brief absence. A series of surprise inspections inside the jail yielded three sticks of marijuana, dried leaves of marijuana and tobacco, several packs of cigarettes, improvised weapons and several drug paraphernalia. Byron led the inspections last Sunday and Monday after three inmates were caught on surveillance camera smoking marijuana at the guard station near the isolation cell on Maunday Thursday. Incidentally, no jail guards manned the station when the three inmates where caught on camera. Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said that acting jail warden Algier Comendador has not explained why no jail guards manned the station. The security camera also caught an inmate using a cellular phone inside the jail facility even if it is prohibited. The cellular phone was placed in a box to conceal it from jail authorities. Governor Garcia showed reporters yesterday the confiscated illegal items, including the five pairs of sleepers and hat, which were used to hide marijuana sticks and packs of cigarettes. Inmates also used empty bottles of mineral water as improvised bucket to smuggle illegal items. The governor was also surprised to discover that an inmate even managed to send money to his family for his children's tuition, wondering how did he raise the money inside the jail. "We are facing a very old corrupt human opponent," Gwen said. The governor believes that some jail guards have connived with the inmates in smuggling illegal items into the provincial jail, pointing out that inmates do not have direct physical contact with their visitors because of the screen barrier. She said that Comendador is now being investigated for his failure to prevent the illegal activities at the provincial jail. The governor also warned other jail personnel to be more efficient to avoid facing sanctions. According to the governor, she already warned the 39 jailguards who were recently reassigned to different district hospitals in the province. The governor said that there was no anomaly in reinstating Byron to his position because had it not been for her brother, the illegal activities at the jail would have not discovered. Byron went on leave following the allegations by court sheriff Julbert Opada that he was being threatened by the consultant with summarily execution inside the jail when he served a court order on the petition for habeas corpus filed by political detainee Edgardo Sacamay. Opada also claimed that Byron even challenged him to a gun duel. A committee investigating the matter, however, cleared Byron for lack of evidence. - ---