by Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to assist the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in the conduct of jail inspections.
In a memorandum issued and signed by DILG Secretary Eduardo Año, concerned personnel of PNP and BJMP were directed to adhere to the new guidelines ‘to rationalize and ensure the sound and efficient conduct of joint inspections of all jails under the management and supervision of the DILG-BJMP.’
According to the new guidelines, a request to inspect must be submitted to the Office of the DILG Secretary prior to the conduct of the joint inspection, subject to the approval of the Secretary or his duly authorized delegate or designate.
The request must classify and indicate the objectives, the manner of the conduct, and the list of personnel of concerned agencies joining the inspections.
The PNP-BJMP inspection teams are also ordered to coordinate with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to ensure proper handling in case of recovery of illegal drugs and paraphernalia.
“We have been supporting the BJMP and local government units for the security survey of all provincial and municipal jail facilities nationwide,” PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde said in a statement.
Both the PNP and BJMP are attached agencies of the DILG.
