FILE PHOTO: House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Photo from the official website of House of Representatives / congress.gov.ph
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has approved on third reading a bill that would mandate creating a system that deters entry of contraband items like illegal drugs and gadgets into custodial and detention facilities across the country.
During the session on Wednesday, House Bill (HB) No. 9153, or the proposed Contraband Detection and Control Act, was approved, with 208 lawmakers voting in favor of the bill, with none abstaining or opposing the measure.
According to Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, the bill would send a message to all persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) that the government is serious in keeping jails and detention facilities free from illegal items.
“This will have a chilling effect on our PDLs (persons deprived of liberty). At the same time, we’re telling them that we’re sincere and serious in giving them a new life away from danger; that is why we’re helping them get rehabilitated,” Romualdez said in a statement.
“We mean business here because these crimes have always been recurring in practically all administrations. We have to have a culture of discipline and order once and for all. We also hope to reduce, if not end, gang wars inside prison facilities,” he added.
If approved, HB No. 9153 will require all government agencies and local government units that operate and maintain “correctional, custodial, or detention facilities” to establish and implement a Contraband Detection and Control System (CDCS).
“The CDCS shall include the use of modern technology, devices, or units such as handheld and walk-through metal detectors, X-ray scanners, and K9 units, that would assist in the effective implementation of this Act,” the bill read.
“All personnel in charge of the entry to correctional, custodial or detention facilities shall conduct an effective contraband detection and control procedure using CDCS technologies and devices, in addition to the traditional methods of searching any person, including their personal effects and belongings, entering such facilities,” it added.
The bill also states that the following acts will be considered prohibited:
- Introduce, convey, or attempt to introduce or convey any contraband into a correctional, custodial, or detention facility
- Facilitate, assist, or abet in the introduction or conveyance, or in the attempt thereof, of contraband into a correctional, custodial or detention facility
- Possess, obtain, or attempt to possess or obtain contraband while being confined or detained or while serving sentence in a correctional, custodial or detention facility
- Failure to register prior to entering a correctional, custodial, or detention facility as required in this Act
“Any person who shall commit any of the prohibited acts under Section 7(a) of this Act shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of twenty (20) years and one day up to forty (40) years and a fine of not less than Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00) but not more than Ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00),” the bill stated.
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The presence of contraband items inside jails and detention facilities has been a recurring problem in the country. Just this August 2023, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. gave inmates at New Bilibid Prison (NBP) an ultimatum regarding the surrender of all contraband items in their possession amid violent incidents inside the said facility.