Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) - Inmates in the national prison system can continue their illegal transactions using cell phones. In order to prevent the inmates from communicating with the outside world, the authorities are now using two high-performance signal jammer for military purposes.
Both units will be used for Building 14 of the new Bilibid Prison (NBP), where high-level drug convicts are arrested and separated from the general population.
The first jammer was installed in the stop area of the system on Tuesday. The second jammer will most likely be installed on the facility's watchtower.
The jammers were enclosed in a steel case. This prevents anyone, including NBP personnel, from tampering with the switch or socket outlet installed under the device. The key will be handed over to Justice Minister Vitaliano Aguirre for safekeeping.
Department of Justice (DOJ) Justice Minister Enan Orceo said they hope the woes can help minimize illegal transactions within the Bilibid.
"We hope that the Kung Hindi man with the cell phone will stamp out all Ma-Eradicate-Yung transactions completely and prevent Kasi-Ang technology from using nagbabago every day. Baka yung 4G ngayon hindi na 4G tomorrow," said he.
We hope that the jammers can minimize and prevent cell phone transactions if we cannot eliminate them completely. Technology is evolving every day. The 4G may not be 4G today.]
A military signal jammer can cut off cellular signals within a twenty meter radius. So two of them can cover the entire area of building 1200 with an area of 1,200 square meters.
The powerful jammers made in South Korea can block various signals including GPS, 3G, 4G, WiFi, and radio frequencies.
The units, valued at £ 2 million each, were reportedly donated by supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Aside from Bilibid Building 14, the DOJ also wants troublemakers to be set up in the largest building in the prison, where 16,000 inmates are held.
Duterte earlier said he plans to bring more cell phone jammers to criminal facilities.