Pubdate: Wed, 11 Jan 2006
Source: Visayan Daily Star (Philippines)
Copyright: 2006 Visayan Daily Star
Contact:  http://www.visayandailystar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1688
Author: RA
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

MONITOR ENTRY OF DRUGS IN JAIL, BJMP URGED

Oriental Negros Gov. George Arnaiz has directed jail authorities to be
strict in monitoring the activities of inmates following reports that
illegal drugs are being peddled in prison cells.

The governor made the call during the visit to him by Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology personnel, headed by BJMP provincial
administrator, Chief Inspector Waldemar Villanueva, the concurrent
warden of the Dumaguete City Detention and Rehabilitation Center.

Reports said Arnaiz told Villanueva and his men that he has received
persistent reports about illegal drug trading in some detention and
rehabilitation centers in the province.

Villanueva did not deny or confirm the report, but he assured that he
would look into it.

Arnaiz also reportedly suggested to Villanueva that he observe the
lifestyle of some jail guards under the BJMP, who may have been
involved in the drug trade, enabling them to, apparently, live beyond
their means.

Meanwhile, the governor also told the BJMP authorities to implement
reform and discipline measures in the BJMP to avoid a repetition of
last year's mass escape of inmates from the city's rehabilitation
center in Barangay Bajumpandan.

On April 17, 2005, nine detainees bolted from the city jail. Eight
were recaptured later in the uptown villages of Valencia and Dumaguete.

Only Dante Nuevo has not been recaptured until now.
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MAP posted-by: Tom