City jail to install nets vs illegal drugs

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama yesterday ordered his staff to coordinate with officials of the Cebu City Jail and the Operations Second Chance so they could immediately install nets on top of the prison facility to stop the reported “bombing” or throwing of illegal drugs inside the jail.

Rama came up with the idea of putting nets at the jail after he was informed that the “bombing” or throwing of illegal drugs and other contraband from outside the jail has not been stopped. This was cited as reason drugs were still found inside the cells during the Operation Greyhound.

The mayor tasked Dennis Jabonero and Eddie Cabras to facilitate the installation of nets. The city will coordinate with the Bantay Dagat Task Force to check if it has confiscated fishing nets that could be used at the city jail.

But since the city will need hundreds of meters of nets to cover the entire top portion of the two prison facilities, the confiscated nets that are being kept by the Bantay Dagat Task Force may not be enough.

“Kon dunay net nga ibutang, dili na moabot ngadto sa mga priso kon may ilabay gikan sa gawas,” Rama told the reporters. (With the nets, we would know right away if something is thrown into the prison.)

Meanwhile, an ex-convict was arrested Wednesday afternoon after he tried to smuggle illegal drugs inside Cebu City Operation Second Chance (OSC) in Barangay Kalunasan, this city.

Jupiter Mayola, 28, of Sitio Barracks, Barangay Ermita, was arrested after he tried to smuggle marijuana and Nubian at around 3 pm.

The suspect was jailed in 2003 at the Cebu City Jail for possession of illegal drugs.

SJO2 Cristory Gatuba, Deputy Jail Warden of OSC, said Mayola concealed the items inside a pack of noodles. Two sticks of marijuana, an ampule of Nubian and around 50 lighters were recovered from him.   

Mayola said it was his first time to throw drugs inside the facility, stressing that he was only coerced by a friend to do it.

He said “bombing” have been a persistent problem at the OSC and the Cebu City Jail.

Mayola is currently detained at Guadalupe Police Station awaiting filing of charges for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002.  (FREEMAN)