According to a press release, the operation was led by BJMP in collaboration with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and other concerned agencies.
BJMP-Davao spokesperson Jail Inspector Edo Lobenia told SunStar Davao in an online message that this is the first time they conducted a surprise inspection since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lobenia said they were able to confiscate improvised bladed weapons, and cellphones, which is strictly prohibited inside the prison cell.
As to the number of prisoners who were apprehended, he said they would still have to determine it, and investigate them for possible sanctions.
"We would still conduct an investigation, and we will depend on the result," the BJMP official said.
Aside from confiscating contraband, the operation also included cleaning the ground floor cells after the greyhound operations to eliminate health-hazardous pests and unclogged blocked drainages, as well as searching all cell buildings for possible explosives and ordinances.
"The greyhound operation is an essential operational activity of BJMP Davao Region and BJMP as a whole. This is to maintain peace and order inside our jails. And for the safety of our PDL [persons deprived of liberty] and Personnel. Furthermore, to avoid any untoward incident due to contraband," the official said.
BJMP-Davao has intensified its security measures inside the City Jail after several attempts to sneak in illegal drugs have been intercepted over the past months.
Currently, the City Jail has around 2,500 inmates or persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). Lobenia, in a previous report said this exceeded its 1,000 capacity. The City Jail will soon be decongested as the construction of the new jail house is expected to be finished before the end of 2022.
Lobenia said that the New Davao City Jail Building located in Barangay Wangan, Calinan can occupy up to 5,000 inmates.
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