The symbolic turn-over ceremony of the North Cotabato Provincial Jail to Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) was held in the morning of August 27, 2010 at the Capitol Rooftop, Amas, Kidapawan City.

Provincial Jail Warden Major Manuel Dalumpines, formally handed over the symbolic color of the provincial jail to designated BJMP warden Chief Inspector Julius Arro, a Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) graduate of class 97.

Prior to the handling of symbolic color the reading of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the North Cotabato Provincial Government and the BJMP was done by Provincial Administrator Efren L. Go as part of the formal procedure.

Senior Superintendent Romeo L. Ogoy, Regional Director of BJMP-XII, in his message during the program described Chief Inspector Arro, as a man equipped with necessary trainings and experiences in managing notorious detention.

Arro was then the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Jail warden now, the Sultan Kudarat District Jail before he was designated as BJMP warden this province. He also served as a jail warden in Cotabato City prior to his assignment in Sultan Kudarat.

In a brief interview with Arro he said that he is fortunate to be chosen as the BJMP warden. He added that even though his job seems no longer new to him he still considers it as a new challenge.

Vice-governor Gregorio “Dodong” Ipong, who represented the governor in the said ceremony, said that the turn-over of the provincial jail under the management of the BJMP unfolds another chapter in the history of the province.

The Vice Governor thanked the BJMP for their willingness in taking over the said jail. He added “this is eventually the answer to the dream of our beloved governor that the BJMP will supervise the provincial jail in order that our constituents behind bars can be given enough and appropriate attention.”

It can be recalled that during the governor ‘s inaugural speech she mentioned that among the priorities of her administration is to improve the provincial jail management under the BJMP.

Board Member Vicente C. Suropia, Jr. member of the Committee on Peace and Order was also present during the program together with Board Members Jesus Acosta, Celistino R. Rapacon, Ernesto M. Conception  and also some officials and personnel of the BJMP.  Several chiefs of office also witnessed the said ceremonial turn-over.

Role and management of BJMP

According to J/SSupt Romeo L. Ogoy, the taking over of the said jail is by way of usufruct- this means that the turn-over does not include the transfer of ownership, facilities, firearms and other equipment because the aforesaid remain under the provincial government of Cotabato.

Ogoy said that the role of the BJMP is to provide efficient and professionalized jail management service according to its mandate on humane safe keeping and inmates’ welfare development.

The 29 strong and able personnel will work with Arro in managing the BJMP, were also presented. They are all degree holders, some of them are Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC) license holder while others are Civil Service eligible. They also underwent trainings like Basic Recruit Training, Junior Supervisory Training, Senior Supervisory Training and other specialized training abroad.

Initially the BJMP was provided with – 1 M14 rifle, 3 M16 armalite rifles, 1 caliber 30 carbine, 3 shotguns, 20 short firearm pistols, 13 restraining equipment, 30 handcuffs and 1brand new futton prison van.

Ogoy, admitted the supplies provided to the BJMP are not sufficient knowing the risk of taking the provincial jail amidst history of assaults and the prevailing external threat of attacks or rescue attempts of some high risk and high profile inmates.

Nevertheless, he is confident that the BJMP in partnership with the provincial government under the leadership of Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza and the Cotabato Provincial Police Office (CPPO) headed by Provincial Director (PD) Cornelio R. Salinas will always be there to support the BJMP with the necessary requirements.//idcd-pgo-mdd//

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