(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 09 July 2025) The Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) continues to affect Mindanao. FORECAST: The Zamboanga Peninsula will experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the Southwest Monsoon. These conditions may lead to possible flash floods or landslides, especially during moderate to occasionally heavy rainfall. The rest of Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms also influenced by the Southwest Monsoon. Winds will be light to moderate from the southwest, with slight to moderate seas (wave height between 0.6 to 2.1 meters).


Monday, 19 August 2024

BJMP-13 destroys 1,041 contrabands from jail facilities

By Mariesh F. Celedeña

BUTUAN CITY -- Various confiscated contrabands from the different jail facilities in Caraga region were destroyed in the first-ever regional destruction of contrabands conducted by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Caraga on August 13 at the BJMP Caraga Regional Office.

The 1,041 confiscated contraband came from the various district jails in the region for the period of July 2023 to July 2024, comprising 134 cellular phones, 458 cigarettes/tobacco, 49 improvised deadly weapons, 2 other electronic devices, and 398 nuisance contrabands.

Some of the contrabands were destroyed through smashing while the cigarettes and tobacco were immersed into the water and later on were buried. 

"The confiscated contrabands that we have destroyed today is the result of our relentless efforts to maintain the integrity of our facilities. Those items which pose serious safety and security threats were intercepted through a variety of operations including greyhound, searches, surprise inspections, joint operations, and vigilant monitoring of contrabands thrown over the perimeter fences of our jails," said JSSUPT Belinda A. Ebora, regional director of BJMP Caraga.

Dir. Ebora added that the efforts carried out demonstrated the dedication and commitment of the personnel across the jail units of BJMP Caraga. She also assured that they will continue their efforts together with the partner agencies to eliminate threats and maintain security inside the facilities.

JSUPT Rosenette G. Rosero, assistant regional director for operations underscored, "The destruction of contrabands will convey the message that BJMP Caraga is very ardent for contraband-free jail facilities."

Also present during the activity are the representatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Caraga, Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga, Radyo Pilipinas, and Philippine Information Agency.

The activity formed part of the 29th Anniversary of BJMP Caraga. It served as a testament of the bureau's commitment to uphold the values of integrity, transparency, and accountability and the promotion of safer and more progressive jail facilities in the Caraga region. (MFC/PIA-Caraga)