Morente to revamp BI’s Warden Facility Protection Unit

MANILA, Philippines — An overhaul is in order at the Warden Facility Protection Unit (WFPU) of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) after reports of illegal activities by and confiscation of a number of illegal items from detainees.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said Monday the revamp follows an inspection of the jail facility and his order relieving WFPU head Niño Oliver Dato.

“We conducted a shakedown last January 22, but it seems as if things have gotten worse,” Morente said in a statement on Monday.

“We have received reports that a number of detainees have been conducting some sort of online business inside the facility, thus the gadgets in question were submitted for forensic examination,” he added.

Last March 25, members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force confiscated illegal items and sums of money inside WFPU’s sleeping quarters.

The operation was led by Intelligence Officer Melody Penelope Gonzales.

“Wards are allowed to keep P5,000 only, but during the inspection, almost P100,000 excess money was found,” Gonzales said.

“These were accounted for, and we asked them to wrap their money in paper, seal it and sign it.  They were likewise given acknowledgement receipts, as these will be returned to them upon implementation of their deportation,” she added.

Authorities also seized laptops, chargers, speakers, tablets, cellular phones, DVD players, power banks, casino chips, carpentry tools, cigarettes, lighters, knives, carpentry tools, and pirated DVDs during the inspection.

According to Gonzales, six laptops, a tablet, and 23 cellular phones were submitted for forensic examination of its contents. Faye Orellana   /kga