ILLEGAL DRUGS TOP CASES OF DETAINEES IN DISTRICT JAIL

ILLEGAL drug trading appears to be the number one crime in the fourth
district as majority of those detained at the Dagupan District Jail
face charges related to the violation of Republic Act 9165, the
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The newly-assigned jail warden, Chief Insp. Jun Melchor Boadilla, said
in a radio interview last week that more half of the 417 detainees
were involved in illegal drugs.

Further, of the 42 women detainees, majority are also facing illegal
drug charges.

"Karamihan ng kaso nila, violation sa R.A. 9165," Boadilla.

Some of the inmates are even "returnees", he said, meaning they have
been jailed more than once for illegal drug trading.

"Lumalabas na parang pangkabuhayan na nila yong pagbebenta ng droga,"
he said.

The district jail houses criminals from this city and the neighboring
towns of San Fabian, Mangaldan, San Jacinto, Calasiao, Sta. Barbara
and Mapandan.

Recently, Mayor Benjamin Lim promised to help fund the expansion of
the jail, which was built originally to hold 150 inmates.

Boadilla said the mayor has already directed the city engineering
office to survey the jail and submit a report for possible expansion
by May 26, he said.

The warden's office has temporarily been converted into cells to hold
as many as 60 detainees.

Boadilla said he has also coordinated with the courts for the transfer
of sentenced prisoners to the national penitentiary to help decongest
the facility.

So far, of the 51 sentenced prisoners, 27 have been remanded to
Muntinlupa.

Boadilla, who assumed office last March, said he will do his best to
improve the conditions in the jail, which used to be the best in the
country, in terms of facilities and rehabilitation program. (PIA
Pangasinan/DOS)