New BJMP acting chief Rivera assumes post

Jail Chief Superintendent Ruel Silva Rivera on Monday assumed his post as the acting chief of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), the agency said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the BJMP said Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos presided over the turnover of command ceremony at Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Rivera replaced Chief Jail Director Allan Iral who is set to step down from the service in June, according to the BJMP.

The new BJMP chief was a member of PATNUBAY Class of 1995 and received his degree in Public Safety from the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).

Rivera started as a warden of municipal, city and district jail.

In 2011, the BJMP said Rivera introduced in Manila City Jail the concept of PDL records digitization and pioneered the e-Dalaw System, the first electronic visitation system.

He also served in regional offices as a staff officer, regional chief of directorial staff and assistant regional director. He was the regional director of BJMP-Mimaropa from 2013 to 2014.

Rivera also became the BJMP National Headquarters’ chief of the Finance Service Office, director for Investigation and Prosecution, director for Logistics, and director for Comptrollership.

He joined the BJMP’s Command Group, the decision-making body of the Jail Bureau, serving as the chief of directorial staff in 2017, deputy chief for operations in 2018, and deputy chief for administration in July 2019.

Abalos urged Rivera to continue to strengthen the rehabilitation programs of the  bureau, especially for persons deprived of liberty (PDL) charged with violation of Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

“I am confident that you have the competence, General Ruel [Rivera], and the ability to lead the BJMP in ensuring the vision of the Bureau to efficient and effective implementation of the J.A.I.L. [Journey for Advancement, Innovation, and Long-term Development Plan 2040],” Abalos said. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA Integrated News