House OKs bill setting up contraband detection system in jails

The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on the third and final reading a bill seeking to set up a system to prevent the entry and proliferation of contraband items inside the country’s prison cells. 

With 208 affirmative votes, the lawmakers passed House Bill No. 9153 or the “Contraband Detection and Control Act” which aims to institutionalize a contraband detection and control system (CDCS) in all local government units and national offices operating and maintaining correctional, custodial, and detention facilities. 

The CDCS shall include modern technology, devices, or units, such as handheld and walk-through metal detectors, X-ray scanners, and K9 units that would assist in effectively implementing the measure. 

It also wants to penalize individuals who will be found guilty of possessing, introducing, aiding, and abetting the entry of contraband in establishments of up to 40 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to P10 million. 

Items considered as contraband under the proposed measure include illegal drugs, firearms, explosives, alcohol or intoxicating beverages, cigarettes, tobacco products, vapes, all forms of currency and monetary instruments, electronic communication devices, and luxury items such as appliances, gambling or gaming equipment, and jewelry.

Under the legislation, any person who shall introduce any ammunition or firearm, explosives, illicit drugs, illegal substances and equipment, and other similar paraphernalia may be fined not less than P5 million to not more than P10 million and imprisoned from 20 years to one day up to 40 years.

If the contraband is not included in the aforementioned items, the violator may be sanctioned with imprisonment of six years and one day up to 12 years and a fine worth P1 million but not more than P5 million. 

Individuals who will facilitate the entry of the contraband may be penalized with jail time of 12 years to one day up to 20 years and a fine of no less than P3 million but not more than P5 million. 

Those who will be found in possession of contraband while being confined or serving a sentence may suffer the penalty of imprisonment of up to 20 years and one day up to 40 years and a fine of not less than P5 million but not more than P10 million.

Meanwhile, public officials or employees who will be found guilty of violating the measure will be given the additional penalty of perpetual absolute disqualification from holding public office and forfeiture of all retirement benefits and accrued leave credits.—LDF, GMA Integrated News