Random drug test in BJMP-run facilities to continue- Iral
By Chito Chavez
The conduct of random drug test in all the 478 jail facilities it runs is how the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) is supporting the government's anti-illegal drugs campaign.
BJMP chief Jail Director Allan Iral said they maintain close coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine National Police (PNP), local government units (LGUs) and anti-drug advocates in its campaign against drugs.
Iral warned that the BJMP will strictly enforce the appropriate policies against its personnel found to be involved in illegal drug transactions.
He noted that the regular and random drug testing of personnel and PDLs complements the greyhound operations in the BJMP’s jail units.
"The massive greyhound operations were continuously conducted in all district, city, and municipal jails nationwide as part of the BJMP’s intensified crackdown operation on illegal drugs and contraband in jails," said Iral.
In support of the country’s all-out war against illegal drugs, Iral urged all personnel to take their duty seriously and continue on ensuring a drug-free facility.
“Dapat agresibo ang ating mga hakbang, upang linisin ang ating mga pasilidad sa anumang kontrabando at tuluyan ng tuldukan pigilan ang ipinagbabawal na gamot (We should aggressively take steps in clearing our facilities from all contrabands and put an end to the entry of illegal drugs),’’ he added.
Iral reiterated that the BJMP personnel should always be up on their toes in preventing the entry of illegal drugs in the jail facilities.
He also assured that the BJMP will remain firm and uncompromising when it comes to its internal cleansing program, adding that “please bear in mind that there’s no room for errant jail officers in the BJMP.”
Meanwhile, Iral stated that he is supportive of the illegal drug campaign by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. after the radical move of asking all colonels and generals of the PNP to submit their courtesy resignations, in a move to rid the police force with personnel with illegal drug links. (Chito A. Chavez)