Security tightened after gun thrown into Negros jail

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology – Negros Island Region (BJMP-NIR) has tightened security at the Negros Occidental District Jail (NODJ) in Barangay Tabunan, Bago City, following a “gun-throwing” incident inside the facility on Sunday.

In a statement posted Tuesday on social media, Jail Chief Supt. Brendan Fulgencio, BJMP-NIR director, ordered the NODJ warden and male dormitory personnel to enforce heightened safety measures while an investigation is ongoing.

“What we are sure of is that the deliberate and intentional act of introducing the illegal firearm was meant to harm or even kill jail officers or persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), and this I will not allow under my watch,” Fulgencio said.

According to BJMP-NIR spokesperson Jail Senior Insp. Juniven Rey Umadhay, a jail officer discovered a suspicious package during a routine inspection.

The officer reportedly heard a loud crash and found a package wrapped in packaging tape.

Inside was a homemade .45 caliber pistol with a magazine loaded with seven live bullets.

“This firearm is just as deadly as any licensed gun,” Umadhay said, calling it a serious threat to NODJ personnel.

While CCTV cameras are installed inside the jail to monitor PDL activity, Umadhay admitted a lapse in external surveillance.

The jail’s external CCTV system was not operational at the time, failing to capture footage of those responsible.

The incident occurred just a month after unidentified suspects attempted to kill a jail officer while he was washing his vehicle outside the facility.

Umadhay said the recent security tightening may have triggered these attacks, especially since NODJ is holding PDLs involved in drug-related and high-profile cases.

“These individuals are very dangerous and may resort to violence, even targeting jail officers,” he said.

He added that one possible angle under investigation is whether PDLs are contacting outside individuals to harm personnel or fellow detainees.

“That is one of the angles we’re currently investigating and verifying,” he said.

In response, BJMP-NIR has intensified security protocols, including equipping tower guards with bulletproof vests and long firearms.

“Personnel are reminded to take all necessary precautions,” Umadhay said.

Visits by relatives, loved ones and lawyers remain allowed, but stricter identification and security protocols are now in place, especially for those visiting PDLs.

The regional jail bureau has also implemented new policies to ensure the transparent and efficient use of government resources, the humane treatment of PDLs under the Mandela Rules and improved safety across facilities.