Hindi minor kundi adult, Hindi food pack kundi“Igado”: BJMP Kalinga clarifies details on Aug 14 shabu smuggling attempt

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — From initially being reported as a minor visitor to being confirmed as an adult, and from being described as a food delivery to an igado package, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Kalinga District Jail has clarified details surrounding the intercepted suspected drug-smuggling incident on August 14, 2026.

In a phone interview on August 17, Acting Jail Warden Jail Inspector Rolando Diwas said the visitor, identified as alias “JR,” was not a minor, contrary to initial information circulated following the incident.

According to Diwas, the jail obtained and verified the visitor’s birth certificate on August 16, showing that he was born in December 2007. This confirmed that he was already 18 years old at the time of the August 14 incident.

Diwas also clarified that the food package involved was not simply a food delivery, as initially reported. The package contained igado, inside which jail personnel discovered a foreign object during routine inspection.

The object was later found to be a heat-sealed plastic sachet containing a substance suspected to be shabu.

According to the latest information available to the jail, the suspected substance weighed approximately 0.8 grams. Its identity remains subject to laboratory examination and official confirmation.

“...at the time ng incident, na-check namin na may foreign object sa food package, ‘igado’ yun actually, and na-hold siya... kanina lang lumabas yung investigation and we were told na 0.8 grams yung substance,” Diwas said.

Two arrived on a motorcycle, one allegedly fled

Based on CCTV footage, two individuals arrived at the facility on a motorcycle to deliver the food.

Diwas explained that under the jail’s established security procedures, food, clothing, and other items intended for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) are first handed over to personnel stationed at the gate for inspection and assessment before being allowed inside the facility.

During the inspection, personnel noticed the foreign object concealed inside the food package and immediately held the item.

Diwas said the two individuals were initially together, but the companion who remained on the motorcycle allegedly fled after apparently realizing that something had gone wrong.

The individual who handed over the food was subsequently intercepted and referred to the Tabuk City Police Station for documentation and investigation.

Diwas said the suspect also provided the name of his companion, giving authorities an initial lead in the investigation. He added that it was the first time the suspect had visited or entered the facility.

“Based on the CCTV footage, dalawa silang naka-motor na dumating. Yung process kasi ng mga magpadala ng pagkain, merong yung sinasabi nating ‘paabot’ wherein iaabot muna nila sa personnel na nasa gate. During that time, dalawa sila pero nung nakaramdam ata yung kasama niya na nasa motor kaya tumakbo. Kaya ang currently na nasa police ngayon ay yung mismong nag-abot lang... on the spot na ni-refer na namin siya sa Tabuk City Police Station. And ang kagandahan nun ay nagbigay naman ng pangalan yung suspect kaya may lead na agad kami,” he explained.

BJMP warns against smuggling attempts

Diwas appealed to visitors and members of the public not to attempt to circumvent the jail’s security measures, noting that personnel are trained to identify possible methods of concealing prohibited items.

He said the jail continues to strengthen its security protocols in line with instructions from BJMP Regional Director Jail Chief Superintendent Delvic L. Oreiro to remain vigilant against possible smuggling attempts.

The incident highlights the importance of strict screening procedures at correctional facilities to prevent prohibited substances and other contraband from reaching PDLs.

BJMP Kalinga District Jail reminded the public that all items intended for delivery to PDLs remain subject to inspection and that attempts to conceal or introduce prohibited items into the facility may result in criminal and administrative consequences.