Oriental Negros Gov. George Arnaiz has directed jail authorities to be strict in monitoring the activities of inmates following reports that illegal drugs are being peddled in prison cells.

The governor made the call during the visit to him by Bureau of Jail Management and Penology personnel, headed by BJMP provincial administrator, Chief Inspector Waldemar Villanueva, the concurrent warden of the Dumaguete City Detention and Rehabilitation Center.

Reports said Arnaiz told Villanueva and his men that he has received persistent reports about illegal drug trading in some detention and rehabilitation centers in the province.

Villanueva did not deny or confirm the report, but he assured that he would look into it.

Arnaiz also reportedly suggested to Villanueva that he observe the lifestyle of some jail guards under the BJMP, who may have been involved in the drug trade, enabling them to, apparently, live beyond their means.

Meanwhile, the governor also told the BJMP authorities to implement reform and discipline measures in the BJMP to avoid a repetition of last year's mass escape of inmates from the city's rehabilitation center in Barangay Bajumpandan.

On April 17, 2005, nine detainees bolted from the city jail. Eight were recaptured later in the uptown villages of Valencia and Dumaguete.

Only Dante Nuevo has not been recaptured until now.*RA

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