CAGAYAN de Oro City — The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Northern Mindanao destroyed 232 confiscated mobile phones on Wednesday, October 28, to prevent unauthorized communication and strengthen security inside detention facilities.
The devices included 157 smartphones and 75 keypad phones seized during jail security inspections, mostly at the Cagayan de Oro City Jail-Male Dormitory.
BJMP-10 Regional Director Jail Chief Superintendent Felixberto S. Jagorin Jr. led the destruction activity at Pueblo de Oro Township in Cagayan de Oro City.
Jagorin said the quarterly activity aims to promote transparency and assure the public that the agency is addressing security concerns inside jails.
“We are doing this every quarter for the public to know na wala tayong tinatago, lahat open tayo,” Jagorin said.
The BJMP said unauthorized phones inside detention facilities pose security risks and could undermine the safe and orderly management of jails.
Before their destruction, the confiscated devices were turned over to the regional office for proper disposition.
Other confiscated items are handled under established procedures. Money and jewelry are subject to forfeiture proceedings, while suspected illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia are turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for forensic examination.
BJMP-10 said it remains committed to strengthening jail security while ensuring the safekeeping and humane treatment of persons deprived of liberty.
