Confiscated contraband turned over to Capitol

CEBU, Philippines - The contraband items confiscated in a surprise Operation Greyhound at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center were already turned over Friday to the Office of the Governor, almost two months after it was conducted.

Despite the delay in turning over the confiscated items, acting provincial jail warden Algier Comendador at that time, was able to immediately submit his report to Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, in her capacity as acting governor on the same day the operation was conducted.

Capitol consultant on peace and order and jail matters, Ret. Col. Cesar Veloso, with elements of Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) conducted the Operation Greyhound (jail contraband search) at around 1:00 in the morning last December 2, 2011 that lasted until 4:30 in the morning of the same day.

Last Friday, Comendador turned over the items to Veloso since Governor Gwendolyn Garcia was in Manila.

The items included 5 rice cookers; 58 reams of assorted cigarettes; 67 assorted mobile phones; bundles of tobacco leaf; 35 cellphone chargers; P2,700 worth of cash; assorted bladed instruments and assorted wires.

The said items were deposited in a locker in Veloso’s office at the Capitol and will be presented to Garcia tomorrow.

Comendador said he and his assistant were not present during the operation.

Veloso said they have been conducting Operation Greyhound in the past but for selected cells only and they did not confiscate that much contraband.

Comendador refused to comment why these items were able to reach the cells of inmates when inspection is conducted to visitors during visiting hours.

The Committee on Discipline and Investigation chaired by lawyer Lito Astillero is also set to conduct an investigation as to why the said items got inside the jail.   - (THE FREEMAN)