BJMP jails won't accept new PDLs, unless with commitment orders from courts
By Chito Chavez
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) on April 17, Friday, said that it will only accept individuals for detention in its facilities if presented with commitment orders from the courts.
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (MANILA BULLETIN)
BJMP spokesman Chief Inspector Xavier Solda explained the move was meant to limit the number of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in BJMP-run facilities with the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
With nine PDL and nine BJMP personnel who tested positive for COVID-19, Solda said the bureau has taken extreme precautionary measures to help prevent the spread of the virus as he admitted that the jails are highly congested.
Solda noted the BJMP has requested the PNP and other law enforcement authorities if it is possible for them to delay the transfer of the detainees in the BJMP cells.
Since March 10, Solda said the BJMP has enforced a lockdown on visitations, with PDLs allowed to receive visitors only virtually through the bureau’s “Electronic Dalaw” program.
He added that PDLs in BJMP-run jails are wearing face masks as a precautionary measure against COVID-19.
In case the need arises for a person to be put behind bars, Solda assured that the individual will be subjected to medical examination first to determine if he has symptoms related to COVID-19.
Solda said the nine COVID-19-positive PDLs have been placed in isolation in a quarantine facility in Payatas, while the nine BJMP personnel who also tested positive are currently under strict home quarantine.
He promised the BJMP would continue to implement precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
“Kaliwa’t kanang pagkilos para sa contact tracing, isolation, at disinfection ang tinututukan namin ngayon (We are doubling our efforts in conducting contact tracing, isolation, and disinfection. We are focused on these now),” Solda concluded.
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (MANILA BULLETIN)
BJMP spokesman Chief Inspector Xavier Solda explained the move was meant to limit the number of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in BJMP-run facilities with the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
With nine PDL and nine BJMP personnel who tested positive for COVID-19, Solda said the bureau has taken extreme precautionary measures to help prevent the spread of the virus as he admitted that the jails are highly congested.
Solda noted the BJMP has requested the PNP and other law enforcement authorities if it is possible for them to delay the transfer of the detainees in the BJMP cells.
Since March 10, Solda said the BJMP has enforced a lockdown on visitations, with PDLs allowed to receive visitors only virtually through the bureau’s “Electronic Dalaw” program.
He added that PDLs in BJMP-run jails are wearing face masks as a precautionary measure against COVID-19.
In case the need arises for a person to be put behind bars, Solda assured that the individual will be subjected to medical examination first to determine if he has symptoms related to COVID-19.
Solda said the nine COVID-19-positive PDLs have been placed in isolation in a quarantine facility in Payatas, while the nine BJMP personnel who also tested positive are currently under strict home quarantine.
He promised the BJMP would continue to implement precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
“Kaliwa’t kanang pagkilos para sa contact tracing, isolation, at disinfection ang tinututukan namin ngayon (We are doubling our efforts in conducting contact tracing, isolation, and disinfection. We are focused on these now),” Solda concluded.