Senate panel flags unregulated businesses inside PH jails

A Senate panel on Wednesday raised the alarm over alleged unregulated business activities by persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) inside Philippine detention facilities.

Speaking at a Senate hearing, Senator Raffy Tulfo asked Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) officials about a case in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

"A couple of months of months ago, may pumunta sa aking PDL na na-released na. He was detained for 14 years. Noong pumasok siya, he was just an ordinary guy, when he came out, he became a millionaire," he said.

(A couple of months ago, a certain PDL who had already been released came to me. He was detained for 14 years. When he was imprisoned, he was just an ordinary guy, when he came out, he became a millionaire.)

"Nagbebenta siya ng electronic telephone card at one to sawa, puwede magtawag kahit sino," he added.

(He was selling electronic telephone cards and customers can call anyone for as long as they want.)

Tulfo said some PDLs may have accessed or monetized telephone services beyond authorized limits, potentially allowing contact with individuals outside their approved list of contacts.

Under BJMP rules, detainees are only permitted supervised communication with a limited number of approved relatives and their legal counsel.

BJMP deputy chief for administration Jail Chief Superintendent Dennis Rocamora acknowledged reports on the presence of contraband mobile phones.

"In that particular case, it appears that the jail warden is remiss in his duties because he is not implementing the policies in place with regards to implementation of affording telephone calls to the PDL and those who transact doon sa jail commissary,” Rocamora said.

"Hindi talaga po dapat nakakapag-negosyo 'yung PDL namin sa loob ng jail. But in that particular case, it appears na nakapagnegosyo. So, liable po 'yung warden doon," he added.

(The PDL shouldn't be able to do business inside the jail. But in that particular case, it appears that they did. So, the warden there is liable.) — VDV, GMA News