Ormoc's congested jail negative for illegal drugs

ORMOC CITY, Leyte, Oct. 23  - The intensified campaign against hard drugs under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte proved effective, following zero recoveries of prohibited drugs at the city jail during an operation on Sunday.

The “Operation Greyhound” at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Alta Vista village was conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) City Public Safety Company led by its chief, Supt. Joel Camacho, in coordination with the city jail.

Items confiscated were pointed objects, mobile phones, among others, at the jail's six cells, two isolation cells and a quarter for the elderly, were not considered illegal but these can be improved into deadly weapons, Camacho said.

"There is advance information to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for proper coordination once there are drugs recovered,” Camacho said.

The Sunday search is the second time under the new PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Gilberto Cruz, which again turned out negative for the substance.

Following the week-long one-time-big-time operations in September, some 19 wanted persons were arrested, which included the city’s two top fugitives, according to Camacho. 

With the intensified law enforcement, the jail has become overcrowded.

“It has become a challenge to us managing a much-congested facility that presently houses 469 prisoners for a 120-capacity,” according to jail warden Supt. Benjamin D. Catudio, Jr.

However, despite overcapacity, he was glad it came out negative of drugs.

Catudio was also overwhelmed sharing his observations of the improving physical looks of the inmates, which he considered partly played by the continuous greyhound.

Early next year, another building is planned to be built in addition to the current facility, which he hopes to be realized.(ERR/PNA)