Various contraband and other prohibited items were seized by an inspection team during a surprise early morning inspection the other day at the Pampanga Provincial Jail – but no drugs.
Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives, along with Vice Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda, conducted the inspection as part of Operation Greyhound which aims to stop illicit drug operations in Philippine jails.
“Itong Operation Greyhound natin, dahil sa nangyari sa situation sa Bilibid, we have discussed with our PNP regional director na magkaroon ng combined operation with PDEA, Capitol at PNP para sa paglilinis o pagche-check dito sa kulungan (Because of the situation at the [National Bilibid Prison] we discussed with our PNP regional director that a combined Operation Greyhound be conducted with PDEA, Capitol and PNP for the cleanup and checking of the jail),” Pineda said.
According to reports, SIM cards and other items were discovered mainly from cells at the maximum security compound where several Chinese nationals are detained.
After about three hours of thorough search, however, no illegal drugs were found although the cell by cell inspection was to be done throughout the day.
“Sa tingin ko wala ng gumagamit sa loob pero just to make sure na ma-stop natin pati ang communication from the outside.
Kailangan ma-stop natin dahil nga ang nagiging problema, nagsasama-sama ang mga pusher dito sa loob at naaayos ang communication sa labas. Kung baga, nakakapag-operate pa rin. To make sure pagdating sa communication, stop sila (I think there is no more use of illegal drugs inside [the jail] but just to make sure, we should also stop their communication with the outside because the problem is, drug pushers here get their act together to facilitate their communication with outside connections. That is why they are still able to operate. To make sure, we must stop their communication),” he stressed.
“Sa Oplan Greyhound, ang hinahanap ay drugs, illegal weapons, contraband and cellphones primarily. Kailangan nating biglain. Biglaan lang at hindi monthly (What we are looking for with Operation Greyhound are drugs, illegal weapons and cellphones primarily. We do this by surprise and not monthly),” furthered Vice-Governor Pineda.
Other contraband and prohibited items confiscated by officials include pointed objects, bladed weapons, lighters, packs of cigarettes, pieces of round metal, sharpening bars, sandpaper, and a cellphone battery charger.
The provincial jail, which is under the provincial Capitol’s watch, spends P50 per day per detainee or P30 million for the 1,502 male and 248 female detainees. About 70 percent of those detained at the “presidio” have drug-related cases.
The provincial jail was renovated to the tune of P60 million, making it the largest, well-maintained and orderly in the whole country, said the vice governor.