PDEA backs tighter drug controls at Capiz jail

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Capiz has offered to help the Capiz Rehabilitation Center strengthen measures against the entry of illegal drugs and integrate a facility-based drug rehabilitation program.

PDEA-Capiz chief Atty. Jury Rocamora said in a media interview Friday, July 10, that he coordinated with provincial jail warden Arjuna Yngcong after receiving information that a person deprived of liberty had been caught with suspected shabu inside the facility.

Rocamora said the drugs may have been thrown over the perimeter wall at the rear of the provincial jail.

He said investigators should also consider the possibility that someone with access to the facility brought in the drugs.

Rocamora stressed that PDEA would address the issue as part of its mandate.

“We could conduct a surprise drug test for all the PDLs and jail officers in coordination with the Provincial Government,” he said.

Rocamora said the provincial government should act quickly to prevent the proliferation of illegal drugs inside the facility.

A 19-year-old male PDL was placed in a restricted area of the rehabilitation center Tuesday afternoon, July 7, after three sachets of suspected shabu were recovered from his possession.

Reports said the inmate, identified only by the alias Aledar of Pilar, Capiz, was about to enter a restroom near the chapel when the drugs were discovered at about 5:30 p.m.

A jail guard found the suspected shabu inside a lunch box after another PDL reported the inmate’s suspicious behavior.

The recovered substances were sent to Iloilo for laboratory examination.

Yngcong said the jail management would investigate how the suspected drugs entered the facility.

The inmate was brought to the Roxas City Police Station for booking and documentation.

Authorities are preparing charges against him for alleged violations of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Yngcong said the inmate had been arrested and detained in November 2025 over alleged violations of RA 9165 and Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

The Roxas City police will conduct a separate investigation into the incident.

Yngcong said the inmate had been expected to seek a plea-bargaining agreement that could have led to his release.

The expected release will no longer proceed because of the latest incident, he said.

RA 9165 penalizes unauthorized activities involving dangerous drugs, including possession, sale, delivery, distribution and transportation.

RA 10591 regulates the ownership, possession, carrying, manufacture, sale and importation of firearms, ammunition and firearm parts in the Philippines.