Despite drug problem: Davide still trusts CPDRC officials

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III still believes in the management of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center despite the reported smuggling of illegal drugs into the facility.

Davide, however, said stricter measures have to be implemented to prevent illegal items from being sneaked into the jail.

“Tibuok gihapon akong pagsalig. I always believe nga naa gyoy drug diha sa sulod. Mao nga kinahanglan pod regular gyod ang check up sa cells,” Davide added.

He urged the jail guards to be vigilant always and be watchful of the different modus used by the people in sneaking in illegal items. 

 “Daghan man gud style palusot ba, ang uban sa bottled water, i-liquify nila ang drug. So you would not really know. Dapat abtik gyod sila (guards). They have been implementing strict measures gyod diha pero naa lang gyoy makalusot,” he said.

The provincial jail management seized several drug paraphernalia and electronic gadgets in one of the cells during an inspection Wednesday last week.

The jail management conducted a surprise inspection after a female suspected drug pusher arrested in Liloan claimed that she got her drug supply from CPDRC.

Jocelyn Correa, 49 , was arrested during a buy-bust operation. Four medium packs of shabu worth P10,000 and a small pack used in the buy-bust operation including the P200 marked-money were seized from her.

During investigation, Correa said the drug supply came from one of the inmates of CPDRC. Correa’s admission prompted the jail management to immediately conduct an inspection.

Marco Toral, Capitol consultant on jail matters, described illegal drug as a perennial problem in jail. Davide also said that this problem is not only isolated to CPDRC but in almost all jails, even in the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

 “I got information also nga even at the Muntinlupa, naa pod diha ang drug trade, very prevalent gyod. Mga wise man gud ning mga priso gud, ug kanang mga mobisita nila. Kanang mga magdala og mga drugs, ato gyod nang paimbestihagan kaayo,” Davide told reporters.

Davide cited congestion inside the jail as a reason why drugs are being smuggled unnoticed.

 “Mi-exceed ta sa limit. Hopefully na tay igong pondo, madugangan tag income aron makahimo tag facility there,” Davide added.

The provincial jail recorded a total of 1, 971 detainees as of June this year, way beyond its 1, 600 capacity. (FREEMAN)