Aside from the total ban on the use of cellular telephones, personnel of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCur) are also barred from accessing social media platforms while inside its prison facilities nationwide.

In a statement, BuCor said that Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. banned social media platforms inside prison facilities "to enhace security and maintain professionalism."

“However, to facilitate necessary communication, all personnel are permitted to use official BuCor emails, such as Gmail or Yahoo, thereby ensuring that essential correspondence can continue while upholding the institution's standards and security protocols,” it said.

It also said that Director Catapang has warned that "any personnel found violating the new regulations regarding social media usage will face administrative sanctions."

The ban on the use of mobile phones was issued last Tuesday, Nov. 19.

On cellular telephone ban, Catapang ordered the superintendents of all the BuCor’s operational prison and penal farms (OPPFs) to enhance security screening by conducting thorough inspections at all entry and exit points to prevent the smuggling of cellular phones and perform regular facility checks including random inspections of prison dormitories and work areas of Bucor personnel for prohibited devices.

Catapang also ordered the procurement of more two-way radios as an alternative mode of communications within the facilities.