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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 917 
Introduced by Hon. Bernadette S. Barbers 
AN ACT 
MANDATING ALL CORRECTIONAL, CUSTODIAL, AND DETENTION FACILITIES 
TO IMPLEMENT A CONTRABAND DETECTION AND CONTROL SYSTEM, AND 
PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR POSSESSING, INTRODUCING, OR AIDING AND 
ABETTING THE ENTRY OF CONTRABAND INSIDE SUCH FACILITIES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The proliferation of contraband in prison has remained a perennial problem in 
the country. Its never-ending presence inside the correctional facilities has now 
transformed our prison institutions into breeding grounds for continuing criminality. 
In the recent Bureau of Corrections’ “Oplan Galugad” operation, conducted last 
October 2022, government authorities were able to confiscate thousands of cans of 
beer and shabu inside the Maximum-Security Compound of the New Bilibid Prison 
(NBP). The said operation yielded a total of 66, 241 various contraband goods, 7,512 
liquors, P55,000 cash, 1142 communication devices including computers, 1,314 
deadly weapons, 1,019 cigarettes or tobacco, 104 gambling materials, and 150 
uncategorized contrabands. 
Likewise, the much-publicized investigation of Percy Lapid’s murder case has 
uncovered that through the use of a cellphone, an inmate in Bilibid or NBP was able 
to hire gunmen from outside the prison in order to kill the victim. 
It is very alarming that the persons who are supposed to be serving their 
sentences behind bars, still have the liberty to access gambling materials, dangerous 
drugs and deadly weapons, and can even use communication devices to continue 
their criminal activities outside of prison jails. 
What is happening right now runs counter to very foundations of our criminal justice 
system that include punishment, reformation and/or rehabilitation of offenders for their 
crimes.  
This unlawful activity of contraband smuggling in prison, if not properly 
addressed would not only undermine the safety and security of our penal facilities but 
also the public in general. 
As such, this bill aims to put an end to these shenanigans by mandating all 
prison and detention facilities to implement an extensive contraband interdiction 
procedure through the employment of modern detection devices, units and 
July 1, 2025
3:04 pm


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technologies in order to cut the flow of prohibited objects or items inside the penal 
institutions. 
This measure also seeks to impose capital punishment of up to 40 years of 
imprisonment and a fine of Five Million Pesos (P5,000,000.00) to any person who shall 
introduce dangerous drugs and deadly weapons or those who will be caught in 
possession thereof in a prison facility. 
The introduction or possession of other kinds of contraband in prison as defined 
under this Act shall be punished by imprisonment ranging from six (6) years and one 
(1) day to twelve (12) years and a fine of One Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00).
To wipeout graft and corruption inside the correctional institutions, jail 
authorities who shall be found facilitating or assisting in the introduction or conveyance 
of these prohibited items shall be dealt with severe penalties, in addition to 
disqualification from holding public office and the forfeiture of all his/her retirement 
benefits. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. BERNADETTE S. BARBERS 
2nd District, Surigao del Norte 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 917 
Introduced by Hon. Bernadette S. Barbers 
AN ACT 
MANDATING ALL CORRECTIONAL, CUSTODIAL, AND DETENTION FACILITIES 
TO IMPLEMENT A CONTRABAND DETECTION AND CONTROL SYSTEM, AND 
PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR POSSESSING, INTRODUCING, OR AIDING AND 
ABETTING THE ENTRY OF CONTRABAND INSIDE SUCH FACILITIES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Contraband 
Detection and Control Act”. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the declared policy of the State to 
maintain peace and order, to protect the life, liberty and property of its citizens, and 
to promote the general welfare for the enjoyment by all Filipinos of the blessings 
of democracy. The State also adheres to the policy that persons deprived of liberty are 
entitled to the exercise and protection of fundamental rights under the Constitution, 
subject to such restrictions and limitations in the interest of national security, public 
order, public safety, or public health. 
To this end, the State shall implement measures to strictly monitor and 
regulate the entry of persons and things in correctional, custodial, and detention 
facilities, to prevent the entry of contraband inside such facilities, and to provide 
sanctions for violations of rules and regulations regarding the entry of contraband in 
these facilities. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
(a)
Contraband or prohibited item refers to any object, thing or article that is
prohibited by law, rules or regulations to be obtained or possessed inside
correctional, custodial, and detention facilities, or that could endanger
the safety or security of persons inside such facilities or to the public. This
shall include:
(1)
Any ammunition, firearm, light weapon, small arms, or thermal
weapon as defined 
in 
Republic 
Act 
No. 
10591, or
the “Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act”;


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(2) 
Explosives or incendiary devices as defined in Section 3 of 
Presidential Decree No. 1866, as amended by Republic Act No. 
9516; 
 
(3) 
Dangerous drugs, illegal substances, equipment, instruments, 
apparatus and other paraphernalia, as defined in and prohibited by 
Republic Act No. 9165, or the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs 
Act of 2002”, and other drugs producing similar effects or that may be 
prohibited by law; 
 
(4) 
Dangerous or deadly weapons as defined in this Section; 
 
(5) 
Any alcoholic or intoxicating beverage; 
 
(6) 
Cigarettes and other tobacco products, including heated tobacco 
products 
(HTP), HTP devices, 
HTP systems, 
nicotine 
mixtures/shots, novel tobacco products, refills, vapor products, vapor 
product devices, vapor product systems, and vaporized nicotine 
and non-nicotine products, as defined in Republic Act No. 11900, 
or the “Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act”; 
 
(7) 
All forms of currency and monetary instruments, whether local or 
foreign denominated, including drafts, checks, notes, securities, 
negotiable instruments, bonds, commercial papers, deposit and trust 
certificates, and other similar instruments where title thereto passes to 
another by endorsement, assignment or delivery; 
 
(8) 
Electronic communication 
devices 
or 
equipment such 
as cellphones, laptops and other personal computers, modems, 
routers, 
satellite 
receivers, 
digital storage 
devices, 
and accessories thereof, capable of storing, receiving, or transmitting 
information, including text, voice, video, and other forms of data; 
 
(9) 
Signal jammers and similar devices capable of blocking, detecting, or 
intercepting electronic or radio signals and transmissions; 
 
(10) Luxury items such as appliances, electronic devices, gambling or 
gaming equipment, jewelry, or any other object of such nature that 
otherwise 
should 
not 
be 
found 
inside 
detention 
facilities, 
correctional facilities, and penal institutions; and 
 
(11) Any other object that is capable of threatening the safety, 
security, or health of persons inside or around the detention 
facility, correctional facility, or penal institution, or that is capable of 
being used in planning, aiding, or executing the escape from such 
facilities or institutions; 


 
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(b) Correctional facility or penal facility refers to any facility, institution, 
penitentiary, prison, penal farm, colony, or security camp where persons deprived 
of liberty are serving their sentence; 
 
(c) Custodial facility refers to any cell, facility, or place utilized to hold persons 
under investigation or lawful custody; 
 
(d) Detention facility refers to any jail, cell, facility or place where persons deprived 
of liberty are being lawfully confined or held in custody while awaiting or 
undergoing investigation or trial, or while pending transfer to a correctional 
facility or to a medical institution; 
 
(e) Dangerous or deadly weapon refers to any animate or inanimate object, 
instrument, material, substance, or device that is capable of being used in a way 
that is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury; 
 
(f) Electronic communication refers to the transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, 
sounds, data, or information of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a 
wire, radio, electromagnetic, photoelectronic or photo- optical system, including 
wireless network protocols; 
 
(g) Person deprived of liberty (PDL) refers to a detainee, inmate, prisoner or any 
other person under lawful confinement or custody. 
 
SEC. 4. Establishment and Implementation of Contraband Detection and 
Control System. – All government agencies and local government units that operate 
and maintain correctional, custodial, or detention facilities shall establish and 
implement a Contraband Detection and Control System (CDCS) to prevent the entry 
and proliferation of contraband inside such facilities. The CDCS shall include the 
use of modern technology, devices, or units such as handheld and walk-through 
metal detectors, X-ray scanners, and K9 units, that would assist in the effective 
implementation of this Act. 
 
All personnel in charge of the entry to correctional, custodial or detention 
facilities shall conduct an effective contraband detection and control procedure using 
CDCS technologies and devices, in addition to the traditional methods of searching 
any person, including their personal effects and belongings, entering such facilities. 
 
SEC. 5. Registration Requirement for Visitors and Other Persons 
Entering the Facilities. – All persons entering a correctional, custodial or 
detention facility shall, before or during the actual visit, accomplish a registration form 
which shall contain the following information, and present the following proof of identity: 
 
(a) Full name and complete address of the person entering the facility; 
(b) The relationship to the person to be visited; 
(c) Description of the things or objects the person is bringing to the person to be 
visited; 
(d) The purpose of the visit, unless the person is a relative or the counsel on 
record of the person to be visited; 


 
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(e) Any of the following valid identification cards (ID) within its validity period 
and bearing the name, photograph and signature of the person entering the 
facility: 
 
(1) 
Company/Employee ID; 
(2) 
Driver’s License; 
(3) 
Government Service Insurance System ID/ E-Card / Unified Multi- 
Purpose ID (UMID); 
(4) 
Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID; 
(5) 
Passport; 
(6) 
Pag-IBIG Membership ID; 
(7) 
Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) ID; 
(8) 
Persons with Disability (PWD) ID; 
(9) 
PhilHealth ID; 
(10) PhilID or ePhilID; 
(11) Philippine Postal ID; 
(12) Professional Regulation Commission ID; 
(13) School ID; 
(14) Senior Citizen’s ID; 
(15) Social Security System ID; 
(16) Solo Parent ID; 
(17) Tax Identification Number (TIN) / Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) ID; 
(18) Voter’s ID/COMELEC ID/COMELEC Registration Form; 
(19) Other valid government-issued IDs or documents with picture and 
signature. 
 
Any person who refuses to divulge any information required in this Section, or 
fails to present a valid ID listed above, shall not be allowed entry into such facility. 
 
SEC. 6. Search and Seizure Operations. – The government agency or local 
government unit operating and maintaining a correctional, custodial or detention 
facility shall conduct regular and random search and seizure operations in all areas 
inside such facilities, including the immediate area surrounding the perimeter 
thereof. All contraband seized during such operations shall be duly inventoried, 
recorded and disposed of in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations. 
 
SEC. 7. Prohibited Acts. – Any person who commits any of the following 
prohibited acts shall be punished in accordance with the provisions of this Act: 
 
(a) Introduce, convey, or attempt to introduce or convey, any contraband into a 
correctional, custodial or detention facility; 
 
(b) Facilitate, assist, or abet in the introduction or conveyance, or in the attempt 
thereof, of contraband into a correctional, custodial or detention facility; 
 
(c) Possess, obtain, or attempt to possess or obtain, contraband while being 
confined or detained, or while serving sentence in a correctional, custodial 
or detention facility; and 
 


 
8
(d) Failure to register prior to entering a correctional, custodial or detention facility 
as required in this Act. 
 
SEC. 8. Penalties. – The following penalties shall be imposed on persons who 
violate the provisions of this Act, without prejudice to any liability for violation of any 
provision of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, or other special laws: 
 
(a) Any person who shall commit any of the prohibited acts under Section 7 (a) 
of this Act shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of twenty (20) years and 
one (1) day up to forty (40) years and a fine of not less than Five million pesos 
(₱5,000,000.00) but not more than Ten million pesos (₱10,000,000.00), if the 
contraband involved is any of those mentioned in paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) 
of Section 3(a) of this Act.  
 
If the contraband involved is other than those abovementioned, the penalty 
shall be imprisonment of six (6) years and one (1) day up to twelve (12) 
years, and a fine of not less than One million pesos (₱1,000,000.00) 
but not more than Five million pesos (₱5,000,000.00). 
 
The penalty of imprisonment shall be served consecutively after the service 
of the sentence imposed by the court with respect to the possession of 
the prohibited object or contraband. 
 
(b) Any person who shall commit any of the prohibited acts under Section 7 (b) 
of this Act shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of twelve (12) years and 
one (1) day up to twenty (20) years and a fine of not less than Three million 
pesos (₱3,000,000.00) but not more than Five million pesos (₱5,000,000.00), 
if the contraband involved is any of those mentioned in paragraphs (1), 
(2) and (3) of Section 3(a) of this Act; otherwise, the penalty shall be 
imprisonment of six (6) years and one (1) day up to twelve (12) years, 
and a fine of One million pesos (₱1,000,000.00). 
 
(c) Any person who shall commit any of the prohibited acts under Section 7 (c) 
of this Act shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of twenty (20) years and 
one (1) day up to forty (40) years and a fine of not less than Five million pesos 
(₱5,000,000.00) but not more than Ten million pesos (₱10,000,000.00), if the 
contraband involved is any of those mentioned in paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) 
of Section 3(a) of this Act; otherwise, the penalty shall be imprisonment of 
six (6) years and one (1) day up to twelve (12) years, and a fine of not less 
than One million pesos (₱1,000,000.00) but not more than Five million pesos 
(₱5,000,000.00). 
 
The penalty of imprisonment shall be served consecutively after the service 
of the sentence imposed by the court, if any, with respect to the possession of 
the prohibited object or contraband and shall also be in addition to the 
original penalty for which the PDL is serving or will be sentenced to serve. 
 
(d) Any person who enters a correctional, custodial or detention facility without 
complying with the registration requirements under Section 5 of this Act, or who 
provides any false information or submits a falsified ID or document, shall 


 
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suffer the penalty of imprisonment of one (1) day up to five (5) days, or a fine 
of One thousand pesos (₱1,000.00), or both. 
 
(e) In addition to the penalties provided in paragraphs (a) – (c) of this Section, 
the additional penalty of perpetual absolute disqualification from holding 
public office and the forfeiture of all retirement benefits and accrued leave 
credits shall be imposed if the offender is a public official or employee. 
 
SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the Secretaries of the Department of Justice and the 
Department of the Interior and Local Government, in coordination with the Director 
General of the Bureau of Corrections, the Chiefs of the Philippine National Police and 
the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, shall issue the necessary rules and 
regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. 
 
SEC. 10. Separability Clause. – Should any provision of this Act be declared 
invalid, the remaining provisions shall continue to be in force and effect. 
 
SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, rules, regulations or 
parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed, or modified 
accordingly. 
 
SEC. 12. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,