Surigao Norte solon appeals to private sector to donate strong signal jammers to stop drug trade in Bilibid

Photo by: PIA Caraga

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Sept. 23 – In light of the recent revelation that convicted drug lords still manage to run their “businesses” inside the New Bilibid Prison through the use of communication gadgets, Surigao del Norte 2nd district representative Robert Ace S. Barbers made an appeal before the private sector to donate state-of-the-art and high-powered signal jammers to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to end drug related activities inside the national penitentiary.

“It’s quite alarming that despite being heavily guarded by no less than the elite Special Action Force, inmates of the maximum security compound can still get away with their illicit criminal acts. Drug trade is still very much active inside and outside Bilibid as per the testimonies of the witnesses. Walang saysay ang pagpapahuli at pagpapakulong sa mga drug convicts kung sa loob mismo ng kulungan ay may pagkakataon silang maipagpatuloy ang ganitong kalakaran,” Barbers said.

“Aside from using cellular phones for drug trade, inmates use it to arrange delivery of contrabands and execute plans of retaliation. In all legality, convicted criminals have no business using communication gadgets while inside the Bilibid,” Barbers said during the House investigation on the proliferation of drug syndicates at the New Bilibid Prison,” he lamented.

“This is why there is a need to install state-of-the-art and high powered signal jammers especially in buildings where hardcore drug lords are detained. Cellular phones are getting smaller and are therefor harder to detect by our already-burdened prison guards. Kaya nga kailangan ng signal jammers, para kahit may cellphones silang hawak, useless na ang mga ito,” said Barbers.

“The DOJ admitted that they have no technology to jam 3G or LTE-able mobile phones. Hence, I appeal to the private sector to donate signal jammers to be used against the commission of criminal acts by inmates. Together, let’s work hand-in-hand to challenge the status quo so we, as a country, can finally welcome the change that everyone so desires,” he added. (AG, Congressional Office/PIA-Surigao del Norte)