Newly-appointed BJMP chief vows to weed out personnel involved in irregularities, illegal drugs

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) officer-in-charge Chief Superintendent Allan Iral on Tuesday vowed to cleanse the ranks of the agency under his watch.

At a press conference, Iral bared his 4G management strategy: Guard the Gate, Guard the Badge, Guard the Purse and Guard the Life. Under Guard the Badge, Iral aims to weed out from service the personnel who are involved in irregularities such as illegal drug activities.

"'Yan ang isa sa mga directive ko po sa regional directors na dapat lahat ng personnel natin na involved sa ilegal na droga ay kailangang tanggalin sa serbisyo," Iral said.

"In support na rin po ito sa programa ni President Duterte. Dapat malinis po ang hanay namin sa mga personnel na involved sa illegal drugs," he added.

Iral said he already reported two BJMP personnel to Interior chief Eduardo Año because of their supposed involvement to illegal drugs.

The BJMP chief, who was appointed last March 27, said these individuals should be dismissed from the service.

"Hindi po tayo nagdadalawang-isip. Actually kahapon may inendorse po ako for confirmation, dismissal from the service kay Secretary DILG  na iconfirm niya 'yung dismissal from the service ng personnel namin na involved sa illegal drugs. Pag naconfirm po 'yun, wala na... outright dismissal from the service," he said.

Iral said the BJMP would also conduct surprise drug test every quarter to catch employees who have links to narcotics. He admitted that some personnel had become drug users as well as protector of illegal drugs inside prisons.

"Isa 'yan sa mga direktiba ko. Pag nagconduct ulit kami nitong second quarter, hahanapan ko ng accomplishment 'yung ating mga regional directors," Iral said.

"Kasi direktiba ko po 'yan. Lahat ng personnel dapat nakaundergo sila ng drug test para malalaman ko na malinis 'yung hanay namin sa ilegal na droga," he added.

He said the BJMP has its own Directorate of Intelligence that monitors the activities of their personnel and checks if they are involved in illicit activities.

"Meron po kaming binabantayan... Kaya nga ginagawa natin itong surprise drug test para isang paraan din po 'yan na kung totoo ba na sila andiyan ang pangalan nila, nagpositive sila..." Iral said.

Under the Guard the Badge, Iral also aims the proper vetting of applicants to BJMP, recognition of deserving personnel and development of highly-competent personnel. — RSJ, GMA News