The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has reported no untoward incident during the onslaught of typhoon "Karding".
BJMP jail Director Allan Iral described the bureau’s jail facilities now to be in ‘normal situation’ as minor damages were immediately fixed.
“Sa magdamag na pagbabantay, masasabing epektibo ang naging paghahanda ng BJMP kaugnay sa Bagyong Karding (In the round-the-clock monitoring, it can be said that the BJMP has effectively prepared for Typhoon Karding),’’ Iral said.
He noted that a total of 729 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), 632 from the San Mateo Municipal Jail-Male Dormitory and 97 from the Female Dormitory were evacuated to Guitnang Bayan I Elementary School in Rizal on Sept. 25.
"Exactly 12 noon today (Sept. 26), all 729 PDL were safely returned to the jail facilities through the assistance of the BJMP Special Tactics and Response Team of BJMP Regional Office - CALABARZON," he added.
The BJMP chief lauded the wardens and jail personnel for ensuring the safety and security of the PDLs during the onslaught of Typhoon Karding.
Iral also directed the wardens of the affected jail facilities to conduct post-typhoon assessment, clearing operations and debriefing to their personnel.
He also assured the families of PDLs “that everyone under the BJMP'S jurisdiction is safe and well-secured amid the recent typhoon.’’
“Wala pong dapat ipag-alala sapagkat ligtas at nasa maayos na kalagayan po ang inyong mga mahal sa buhay na nasa aming (BJMP) pangangalaga (You do not need to worry about anything because your loved ones are safe and sound under our care),’’ Iral continued.
Earlier, BJMP spokedsperson Supt. Xavier Solda assured the public that their jail facility personnel across the country came prepared for Super Typhoon Karding.
Under Iral’s orders, Solda said the BJMP had conducted preemptive measures for natural disasters such as typhoons.
He explained that the PDLs housed in the jail facilities in low-lying areas are transferred to safer grounds during typhoons while the BJMP personnel are closely monitoring the reports from PAGASA and other government agencies in the jails where heavy rains occurred.
Solda noted that Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur’ Abalos Jr. is also closely monitoring the conditions at the BJMP jail facilities during typhoons and other calamities. (Chito A. Chavez)