Pres. Duterte vows to improve BJMP jails

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the inmates during his visit to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City on October 18, 2017. Also in the photo is Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go. (Photo by King Rodriguez/Presidential Photo)

MANILA — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte visited the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City on October 18, Wednesday, where he vowed to improve jail facilities and security equipment.

Speaking before BJMP personnel, President Duterte said he is satisfied with the way the BJMP is running its prison facilities.

 “Okay ang sitwasyon, they are comfortable, clean. I’m satisfied by the way it is being run by the BJMP,” he said.

The President made the assessment after visiting several jails inside the BJMP.

He said he would want every prison cell to have television sets by the end of the month as a form of recreation.

“Nakakaawa naman ‘yung mga preso, walang libangan,” he said adding that he would help prisoners to sell their handicrafts to earn money for their families even if they are in prison.

“Bilihin ko siguro at pabisitahin ko ‘yung DSWD para how we can market their products, para kikita sila and of course, a program sa follow-up to see whether their children are studying still or not,” he said.

Visiting BJMP jail facilities for the first time as President, Duterte vowed to provide additional equipment and apparatus to improve security in prison cells.

“Gusto ko kayong unahin sa gobyerno. So you’ll have, I say, the most modern equipment. You will have it,” he said.

The Chief Executive reiterated that the salary of military and police would be increased next year, which also included the jail personnel.

He likewise mentioned the housing units being constructed for uniformed personnel all over the country.

“So I want you to have a more comfortable home — kayo lahat. Gusto ko a more comfortable life than before,” he said.

“As I have said doon sa Command Conference, I have almost four years plus remaining and I want to build a strong security, improved security forces and that includes you. Lahat, ‘yung may armas,” he added.

Before facing the BJMP personnel, the President was briefed by Acting Chief Jail Director Deogracias Tapayan on current condition of 475 jails nationwide and the status of the bureau’s campaign against illegal drugs and other contrabands.

Currently, BJMP has a total inmate population of 152,428 managed by 12,193 uniformed personnel. (PND)