Puno orders one-strike policy for wardens of drug-infested jails

MANILA, Philippines - Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno warned jail wardens nationwide that they will be immediately relieved from their posts if illegal drugs are seized from an inmate or jail personnel under their jurisdiction.

Puno said the one-strike policy will also apply if an inmate or jail personnel tests positive for drug use.

He said the new policy is being implemented in line with President Arroyo’s policy to eradicate the distribution of illegal drugs in jails all over the country.

Last Friday, a total of 96 officials and personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Metro Manila underwent drug tests yesterday. Jail Director Rosendo Dial said 7,620 other BJMP officials and personnel are also scheduled to undergo drug tests.

“Drug abuse is a problem across all of society and we do not discount the possibility that jail officers are into it. We want to find out so that we can cleanse our ranks. We want to improve public confidence in the bureau,” Dial said to the officers who were randomly picked for drug testing.

Dial ordered BJMP field directors to instruct off-duty personnel to report to their respective regional offices to subject themselves to drug tests.

Puno said reports on the drug tests should be submitted to his office through Undersecretary for Public Safety Marius Corpus.

Puno also ordered all wardens to conduct as many “greyhound operations” – surprise inspections and searches – as are necessary to cleanse jails of narcotics and other illegal substances. – Cecille Suerte Felipe