BJMP eyes speedy trial, test for drug suspects

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during his visit to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City on October 18, 2017, congratulates the BJMP as he expresses his satisfaction over how the agency has ran the jail. Also in the photo are National Capital Region Police Office Director Oscar Albayalde and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano. KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology is looking to adopt an approach that will pave the way for speedy resolution of drug-related cases, and ultimately decongest the city jails.

Under the BJMP’s proposed scheme, a team of experts and doctors will examine the extent of the detainees’ dependence on drugs, the result of which will be the basis whether the detainees will be transferred to rehabilitation or be recommended for favorable court decision, or both.

Most of the jails in the county, especially in Metro Manila, are already overcrowded and most of the inmates are there because of either pushing or using illegal drugs.

The BJMP had already conducted drug dependency test to all detained drug violators.

Manila City Jail Spokesman Capt. Jay Bustanero said the intention of the test is to find out the extent of the inmates’ dependence on drugs.

Already, 70 inmates are undergoing a series of drug test and psychological examination and interviews from experts. The process normally takes two hours for every inmate.

After the evaluation, the attending medical doctor from Manila Treatment and Rehabilitation Center will tell if the inmates deserve to get favorable decision or be transferred to rehabilitation center.