By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter
Laoag City—In a move to further shore up Pres. Rodrigo R. Duterte’s “war on drugs,” the Sangguniang Panlungsod here passed an ordinance that prohibits the entry of illegal drugs and paraphernalia; firearms and ammunitions; bladed weapons; cellular phones and similar devices for communication; cigarettes, tobaccos and electric cigarettes; and liquor and other intoxicating beverages on October 22, 2018.
The prohibition ordinance carries penalties for violators.
Laoag councilor Roger John C. Fariñas, principal author of the ordinance, said violators of the ordinance concerning illegal drugs and deadly weapons face a six-month imprisonment, a one-year ban from the penal institution and a PHP5,000 fine for first-time offenders. Succeeding violations carry a PHP5,000 ban, one-year imprisonment and lifetime ban from entering the jail premises.
On the other hand, persons caught smuggling cellular phones and similar devices used for communication, cigarettes or tobaccos, electronic cigarettes and liquor or other forms of intoxicating beverages face a fine of PHP5,000 and a one-month ban at the penal institution; and PHP5,000 plus one-year ban at the penal institution for the first and second offenses, respectively.
While a fine of PHP5,000.00 and a lifetime ban at the BJMP will be imposed for the third offense.
Mr. Farinas explained that the enactment of this ordinance “maintains peace and order situation and in order to prevent and suppress lawlessness, disorder, riot, violence, rebellion or sedition at the city jail”.
The measure also strengthens and empowers the BJMP to penalize the entry of said illegal contrabands and activities.
He stressed that prohibiting the entry of cellular phones and similar devices used for communication would prevent the inmates from coercing, intimidating, threatening complainants and witnesses or other forms of retaliation.
Reacting to this, city jail warden Herminigildo Rivera thanked the city council for the enactment of said ordinance.