The Cebu City Council has taken a decisive step to tighten security within local detention facilities by approving two new ordinances aimed at curbing illegal activities. The measures, passed on December 9, 2025, introduce harsher penalties for smuggling and establish a no-fly zone for drones around jails.
Stricter Penalties for Contraband Smuggling
Spearheaded by Councilor Phillip Zafra, the first ordinance significantly strengthens the campaign against contraband. It imposes heavier sanctions on individuals caught bringing illegal and prohibited items into city jails. The list of banned items now explicitly includes not only illegal drugs and deadly weapons but also otherwise legal objects such as mobile phones, alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, lighters, excessive cash, jewelry, and sharp objects.
Repeat offenders will face even stiffer penalties, while minor violations may result in community service. During the session, Zafra emphasized that this ordinance targets one of the two major supply routes for contraband: direct smuggling by visitors or associates.
Establishing a 100-Meter Drone No-Fly Zone
The second ordinance directly addresses emerging security threats involving unmanned aerial vehicles. It creates a 100-meter no-fly zone prohibiting drone operations near Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facilities. This move is a response to incidents where drones were used to transport illegal drugs and other items into detention centers.
City officials aim to prevent aerial deliveries, unauthorized surveillance, and improve perimeter control. Violators of this ban will face fines, possible imprisonment, and confiscation of their drone equipment. Exceptions are strictly limited to:
- Law enforcement agencies.
- Emergency responders.
- Authorized operators with permits from both the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Cebu City government.
Support and Implementation
The CAAP has expressed support for the city's initiative, noting that national aviation rules already prohibit drone flights over security-sensitive facilities. The passage of these ordinances on December 9, 2025, marks a concerted effort by Cebu City to modernize its approach to jail security, tackling both traditional smuggling methods and modern technological threats.
By closing these critical loopholes, authorities hope to significantly disrupt the flow of contraband, enhance the safety of detention facilities, and uphold the rule of law within the city's correctional system.
