Iloilo City-Members of the Iloilo Board of Directors expressed concern that the signal interruption of the Iloilo District Prison Administration and Penalty Office (BJMP) affected residents of Nanga Village in Pototán City. In a privileged speech at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial assembly) meeting on Tuesday afternoon, Iloilo Third District Board member Matt Palabrica said that the mobile phone signals of the residents of Nanga Village are poor.
Palabrica said in an interview that, depending on the facility, the signal jammer will only cover a 100-meter radius. He said: “However, there is no signal within 300 meters, which means you have to leave the village to send a message.” Parabrica pointed out in his speech that this has happened since June. Parabrika said: “(Southern California residents) are suffering from inconvenience due to improper use of mobile phones. They cannot access the Internet due to mobile phone portable jammer installed in Iloilo District Prison,” he added, Nanga Village Chairman Julie Sequio is aware of this concern.
He said that the lack of cell phone signal is seriously affecting residents, especially their economic and social life, because they cannot optimize their livelihoods or keep in touch with their families and relatives. He said: “Children who study and rely on the Internet for research will also be affected. This also applies to their social life. Their interaction through social media now depends on the Internet.”
Palabrica also acknowledged that destructive launchers are tools to prevent crime, especially to curb drug trafficking in prison facilities. However, he said that the agency’s law enforcement department should first ensure that cell phones are prohibited in prison cells. “As a government, our primary responsibility is to abide by the law and only pursue the well-being of the people who pursue family interests. Law enforcement should be sublimated to the interests of those who obey the law. A solution that takes into account the common interests should be the most important, he said.
Out of this concern, the warden Jail Warden announced that the Provincial Assembly will invite Chief Inspector Richard Servano at its meeting on November 12, BJMP District Director Anel Sa Arnel Sarabillo Gongona and Nesto Antonio Monroy, Regional Director of the National Telecommunications Commission. Palabrica said it is expected that Nanga’s village chief will also be present. He is also considering inviting representatives of the Philippine Drug Administration (PDEA) to clarify this issue.