The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology is disbanding gangs in the Manila City Jail because they have members who are drug lords whom they protect, Director Chief Supt. Serafin Barreto, Jr. said.
Barretto disclosed that Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno directed him to deploy additional jail personnel in the MCJ following the recent noise barrage by inmates facing illegal drug activities.
He said the segregation of inmates with drug cases, dismantling of kubols and disbandment of gangs are part of Oplan Rody.
Under Oplan Rody, the BJMP will rid all jails of scalawags, illegal drugs and contrabands.
Members of different gangs or organization like Batang City Jail, Sigue-sigue Sputnik, Commando group or any other gangs will be disbanded.
Inmates at the Manila jail held noise barrage at the prison compound to protest the segregation of inmates with drug-related cases, disbandment of gangs and dismantling of kubols or makeshift houses inside.
In his directive, Sueno also told Barretto to ensure that a follow up prison inspection be conducted in the jail.
“We have to show them [inmates] that we will not relent in our efforts to rid the country of illegal drugs, including in jail facilities.
We do not tolerate such actions because there is a corresponding penalty if they will not abide by the rules,” he said.
Based on the report from Barreto and Manila City Jail Warden Supt. Gerald Bantag, the Batang City Jail members instigated the noise barrage.
Other gangs like Sigue-Sigue Sputnik, Commando and other gangs followed the disbandment orders.
Bantag said a few inmates were hurt, while others got slight injuries when they jumped from the rooftop as the jail guards approached them.
The total jail population of Manila City Jail is 3,900, of whom 2,085 have drug-related cases.