PDEA tightens security at detention centers

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has produced a manual aimed at tightening security at its detention facilities and preventing the smuggling of contraband and illegal drugs by detainees.

PDEA, in collaboration with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), compiled in a handbook the guidelines on the handling and management of inmates.

Undersecretary Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr., PDEA director general, said the handbook was titled “PDEA-BJMP Manual of Operations in the Conduct of Search and Seizure of Dangerous Drugs.”

Cacdac said the manual would standardize the implementation nationwide of “Operation: Greyhound,” an undertaking to prevent the entry of prohibited items into PDEA detention centers.

Recently, a series of inspections inside the maximum security compound of the New Bilibid Prisons led to the seizure of various contraband, including drugs, cash, luxury items, pornographic materials, sex toys, from so-called very important prisoners.

“The PDEA detention facility manual encompasses the basic rules and procedures every PDEA custodial officer must know and understand with regard to humane safekeeping, security and control of individuals who were arrested and temporarily held at our detention facilities for drug-related offenses,” he said.

Cacdac said the guidelines made were in line with the standards set by the Commission on Human Rights.

“Finally, we have a detention facility manual that we can call our own. I encourage every personnel, particularly PDEA prison guards, to embrace this manual by heart and understand the policies surrounding it,” he said.

Last Tuesday, a ceremonial signing of the manual was held at the PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City with Cacdac and BJMP chief Jail Director Diony Mamaril were key signatories.

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