Buguias, Benguet passed an ordinance that prohibits the operation of drones within 100 meters from its jail facilities.
In an ordinance authored by Councilor Ro-nald Kimakim, it stated that drones can be used in gathering information through its recording system which has expanded overtime.
“Drones could be used in transporting illegal drugs, deadly weapons, and other contrabands as well as in the surveillance of jail facilities and pre-mises, which could very well compromise the safety and security of the jail facilities,” the ordinance stated.
The ordinance also supports the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology’s standard operating procedure on the detection, prevention and handling of remotely piloted aircraft system or unmanned aerial vehicle in line with the regulations issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
Kimakim said the ordinance will promote peace and order and enhance the security of jail facilities in the municipality.
Exemption to the ordinance are law enforcement agencies, emergency management offices, or those authorized by the municipality in coordination with the jail management to ope-rate drones.
Those found violating the ordinance shall be penalized with a fine of P1,000 on first offense; P1,500 on second offense; and P2,500 on third offense or imprisonment of three months but not exceeding six months or both at the discretion of the court.
The Philippine National Police and the Public Order and Safety Team of the municipality, an officer in the barangay, and the BJMP have been tasked to enforce the ordinance.
A sign bearing “Drone no fly-zone within 100 meters from jail facility,” posters shall be posted outside the faci-lity.
The Buguias District Jail located in Barangay Bangao, which was expanded in 2015, caters to offenders not only from the municipality but also from Mankayan and Bakun.
Any person or group who wants to operate drone within or near the jail faci-lity must first secure a municipal permit.
The ordinance was favorably endorsed by the Benguet provincial board. – Ofelia C. Empian