MANILA – President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Wednesday said he plans to purchase an airplane for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to provide its personnel with a safer way of transporting high-value prisoners, particularly in Mindanao.
“We’ll have to devise a way of transporting criminals, especially in the territory of Mindanao which is fraught with so many dangers,” Duterte said in his speech during a send-off ceremony for 250 transport vehicles of BJMP at Camp General Vicente Lim in Calamba, Laguna.
“Maghanap ako ng eroplano na (I will look for a plane)…you know, I do not want you dead,” he added, stressing that a family suffers when a police officer is killed.
Duterte did not give further details but said the plane he had in mind does not need to be expensive.
“I think I’ll buy you the…hindi naman yung pinakamahal. Tanong lang ako (not the most expensive. I’ll ask first),” Duterte said.
“Maybe one for Mindanao. We are transferring a high-value target, you will use the plane. Hindi ko kayo binobola (I’m not joking), I’d rather lose five airplanes than lose a soldier or my guard or a policeman,” he added.
He said since the BJMP does not have an aviation unit, he will consider purchasing the plane through the air force.
He noted that the purchase of the plane may be done before the end of the year.
“Wala akong aviation unit. So temporarily, kung makabili ako before the end of the year, i-attach ko muna sa Air Force (There’s no aviation unit. So temporarily, if I can purchase one before the end of the year, I’ll attach it to the Air Force),” Duterte said.
Last December, Duterte allocated PHP299 million for the purchase of 250 additional transport vehicles for BJMP regional offices nationwide. The first batch of 50 units were delivered last July.
Duterte said the procurement of more transport vehicles is part of efforts to improve operations of BJMP, enhance public safety in transportation of prisoner, and provide detainees with humane and dignified correctional facilities.
The BJMP, in a press statement, described this as the “biggest acquisition in the bureau’s history.” (PNA)
