By Chito Chavez
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) on Thursday reminded the public that tobacco products like cigarettes are considered contraband under jail policies, rules, and regulations.
BJMP Chief Jail Director Allan Iral (BJMP / MANILA BULLETIN)
BJMP chief Director Allan Iral issued the reminder after a female visitor of the Surigao District Jail Annex Lianga was caught bringing in four rolls of tobacco last Wednesday.
Reports disclosed that Jail Officer 1 Rebecca Guillen II and Jail Officer 1 Peter Gastardo III intercepted four bars of SSS trisbee, a local tobacco, wrapped above the right ankle of a visitor of one of the Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL).
Iral said the BJMP has strictly implemented the anti-smoking campaign in jails to protect PDL from acquiring smoke related diseases while in detention.
He told PDL visitors to be role models and support the government’s anti-smoking campaign in public places instead of violating the law.
Iral explained that the BJMP is trying its best to address the health concerns of the PDL in its jail facilities and seeks to protect them from the hazardous chemicals emitted from the cigarettes.
According to Surigao District Jail warden Jail Inspector Samuel Nasiad, the visitor was denied entry for violating the rules of the facility in relation to its aggressive anti-smoking campaign.
The visitor was also lectured on the rules and regulations in visiting a PDL including the different diseases that are caused by tobacco smoking.
Last May 16, 2017, President Duterte issued Executive Order No. 26, providing for the establishment of smoke-free environments and imposing a nationwide ban on smoking in all public places.