Drugs thrive in Antique prison

ILOILO CITY—An illegal drug trade flourishing in the provincial jail of Antique has been disrupted and three jail officials are facing charges of involvement in it, according to officials of the province.

Gov. Rhodora Cadiao has named three guards of the Antique Rehabilitation Center (ARC), the provincial jail, as among those allegedly involved in the drug trade that involved inmates who repack and sell illegal drugs outside the jail premises.

Cadiao, along with operatives of the Western Visayas office of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), conducted a surprise inspection of the jail early this week.

The three jail guards—Angeles Hizon, Rogelio Naet and Eniceto Escaner—evaded a drug test and hurriedly left the ARC during the inspection.

Cadiao said her office received reports that illegal drugs from Metro Manila were being repacked at the jail. The drugs are then sold by inmates who are allowed to leave the jail at night by some of the jail guards, she said. Nestor P. Burgos Jr., Inquirer Visayas