President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday, July 12, led the 26th anniversary celebration of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), vowing to enact reforms in the country’s penal system.

“So I will institute reforms. ‘Pag natapos na itong sa Marawi, I promised them maski galit sila akin, alam ko man ‘yang sentimiyento nila, we will help you,” the President said in his speech at the AFP theater in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

The Chief Executive also promised to tend to the needs of BJMP officials and employees.

“Pero kayo sa trabaho, I will take care of you maybe — may nakita na kasi ako na pera pero nirereserba ko. On the third year, pwede na. Kayo na naman ang pakialaman ko,” he said.

During his speech, the President Duterte lamented the presence of illegal drugs at the New Bilibid Prison and other jail facilities.

The President committed to stop the continued access of inmates to cellular phones during his term.

“Alam mo, hindi ako pwede diyan pati ito, hintuin talaga natin ‘to. Nakikinig man ‘yang mga taga-Muntinlupa ngayon,” he said.

At the same time, the Chief Executive underscored that he will not allow corruption to thrive during his administration.

“I can assure them na walang corruption diyan. Not in my term. Not in my term,” he said.

“There are so many injustices here that we have to correct. But just give me time. Ang ano ko lang talaga, what I can assure you is there will be no corruption in the Executive department, sa atin,” he added.

President Duterte also highlighted his promise to protect law enforcers from prosecution for doing their duty.

“I will never, never allow a military man, a government man, a policeman na makukulong for doing his duty and obeying my order. Hindi talaga ako papayag,” he said.

In addition, the President said he would see to it that everything is fair and legal.

The BJMP has jurisdiction over 175 district jails, 94 city jails and 128 municipal jails, including 57 female dormitories and 12 other jail classification.###PND