Contrabands seized in NODJ greyhound operations

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Several contrabands—including four sachets of suspected shabu, six cellphones, and two improvised bladed weapons—were seized during random greyhound operations at the Negros Occidental District Jail (NODJ) in Barangay Tabunan, Bago City on Nov. 18 and 20.

According to Jail Senior Insp. Juniven Rey Umadhay, spokesperson of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology–Negros Island Region (BJMP-NIR), the operations were conducted based on intelligence information gathered by jail personnel.

The first search on Nov. 18 yielded one sachet of suspected shabu, five cellphones, and the improvised bladed weapons.

A follow-up operation on Nov. 20 resulted in the recovery of three more sachets of suspected shabu, a smartphone, and a charger from the dorm occupied by insular or convicted Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs).

Umadhay said the illegal drugs were found hidden in the PDLs’ bed bunks.

Two PDLs are under investigation, but their identities remain unconfirmed because the bunks have transient occupants.

He said investigators must determine who among the occupants owns the confiscated items.

Following the confiscations, jail authorities heightened security protocols, particularly the monitoring of PDLs and thorough inspections at the gate.

Umadhay noted the possibility that the contrabands were thrown over the perimeter wall—similar to an incident in August when a firearm was tossed into the facility.

He said some of the confiscated phones may have been used by PDLs to post a leaked video during a noise barrage and protest calling for the ouster of then-warden Jail Chief Insp. Crisyrel Awe over alleged mistreatment.

Awe was relieved but reinstated last month after a national headquarters investigation found no violations in his handling of PDLs or enforcement of security protocols.

Umadhay said the complaints against Awe stemmed from existing prison policies required at NODJ.

He warned that contrabands inside the facility may be used as weapons, for illegal transactions outside, or even in planning attacks against jail personnel or other PDLs.

He added that visitors may also be a possible source of these items, prompting stricter inspection measures, although visitation remains allowed.

Umadhay said Jail Chief Supt. Brendan Fulgencio, BJMP-NIR director, wants to investigate how the contrabands entered the facility despite intensified security measures.

“There may have been laxity on the part of the searchers,” he said. “There may have been neglect, even if they weren’t intentionally helping or allowing contraband to enter. Still, if there was neglect among the custodian and searchers, it is an administrative offense.”

He said personnel were ordered to explain what happened.

Despite this, Umadhay said the regional bureau commended Awe because after his reinstatement, he continued implementing the security measures.

“The act of discovering the item was commendable because it removed a potential danger,” he said.