No visitors for Pangasinan inmates facing drug charges

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Inmates facing drug cases at the provincial jail here will temporarily not be allowed to receive visitors.

This, after 119 grams of shabu and sniffing paraphernalia were seized from a number of detainees, including one tagged as the top drug personality in the Ilocos region, during a surprise inspection last Thursday afternoon.

The "grounding" of visitors of inmates facing drug cases is one of the strict measures imposed by Chief Inspector Jericho Royales, investigation chief of the provincial police who was assigned as officer-in-charge of the provincial jail following the relief of retired Superintendent Felimon Doria as provincial jail warden.

Lawyer Virgilio Solis, provincial administrator, relieved Doria last Friday to pave the way for an impartial investigation.

A joint team composed of elements of the provincial and Lingayen police, Special Operations Group and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Solis and lawyer Geraldine Baniqued, provincial legal officer, conducted the surprise inspection.

The composite team confiscated at least 119 grams of shabu from inmates Abelardo Punzal, Larry Lumna, Benjamin Lui and Susan Manahan, all charged for violations of the Dangerous Drugs Act.

Punzal was tagged as the top drug personality in the Ilocos region (Region 1) and Pangasinan before he was nabbed last December.

Also seized during the raid were six cellular phones, cash amounting to P33,989.50 believed to be the proceeds of the illegal drug trade inside the jail, $45 and a blue book supposedly listing Punzal’s customers.

Royales said they have tightened security at the provincial jail, backed by members of the 106th Provincial Mobile Group based in Ala-minos City.

The "no visitors" policy for detainees with drug cases will be lifted at a proper time, Royales said.

For the other inmates, visitations will be shortened by an hour. Visitors are allowed only from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Royales also asked inmates to surrender their cellular phones voluntarily. Six did.

"We have to send a strong message to those who are planning to do something bad to better think twice," he said.

Royales said the new policies will be temporary until Gov. Victor Agbayani appoints a new provincial jail warden. The provincial jail is under the provincial government.

Meanwhile, Royales said the air-conditioning unit installed in Punzal’s cell had been removed while his refrigerator was brought out for everybody’s use.