Electronic gadgets seized from CPDRC

CEBU, Philippines - At least 285 functional cellular phones, chargers and other electronic devices were surrendered by and seized from inmates at Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center  this year.

Marco Toral, Capitol consultant for jail matters, presented the phones yesterday to Governor Hilario Davide III. The items were turned over to the Provincial General Services Office.

Jail warden Romeo Manansala said the series of inspections this year led to the confiscation of the electronic devices, which are prohibited inside the facility. Other inmates voluntarily surrendered them.

The inspection conducted by the CPDRC management at the female cells on Thursday yielded 20 mobile phones. The following day, 60 mobile phones were surrendered by other inmates.

“Amo man silang gikumbinser nga i-surrender gyud. Kay bisan sige mi og round, naa man gyud di makit-an,” Manansala told The Freeman.

Once caught using electronic devices, erring inmates will be placed in an isolation cell or “bartolina” for a week or even a month.

Manansala disclosed that the jail management had received reports that complainants in cases have received threats from inmates through text messages.

“Makadawat daw sila og death threats. Atong buhaton, ang katong nag-text ibutang sa isolation cell for a month,” he said.

Blue guards were also able to confiscate mobile phones from inmates who came from court hearings after they were frisked thoroughly. Manansala said some inmates would conceal the phones in food packs to sneak them into the facility.

The jail management has requested two signal jammers from Capitol so that mobile phones used in the cells would not be able to get any signal. Additional blue guards have also been requested to augment the jail’s existing security force. (FREEMAN)