PNoy to DOJ Sec: Overhaul New Bilibid Prison

President Benigno S. Aquino III has given Justice Secretary Leila de Lima specific instructions to stop all illegal activities in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), a Palace official said on Tuesday.

In a press briefing in Malacañang, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said President Aquino wants the Department of Justice (DOJ) to conduct a thorough investigation to halt all abuses and criminal activities in the NBP.

“Iyong pagsasagawa ng malawakan at malalimang pagsisiyasat ay bahagi ng mga repormang ipinapatupad ni Pangulong Aquino alinsunod sa patakarang daang matuwid at good governance,” Secretary Coloma said when asked about the President’s instruction to Secretary de Lima.

He said the President is worried about the proliferation of firearms in the NBP, so he instructed Secretary de Lima to investigate and carry out reforms at the national penitentiary.

“Samantala patuloy pa rin ang pag-aaral doon sa mga kaganapan doon, ‘yung pag-dismantle ng mga kubol na mayroong mga kasangkapan na maaaring ginagamit in violation of existing rules ng ating national penitentiary, at lalo’t higit ang pagpigil sa mga iligal na aktibidad na tila patuloy pa ring nagaganap na naisiwalat na noong nakaraan,” he said, adding that according to the Justice Secretary, the goal is to make the prison drug-free.

Asked to comment on statements made by some NBP officials that they were not aware of what was going on inside the penitentiary, Coloma warned that the government will hold accountable all personnel responsible for enforcing prison regulations.

“Ayon kay Secretary de Lima, puspusan ang pagsisiyasat na isinasagawa at ang lahat ng responsable sa mga iligal na gawain ay papanagutin at parurusahan,” he said.

A surprise raid of the NBP on Monday morning yielded drugs, gadgets, sex dolls, pornographic CDs, and even a bathtub and a game console.

Combined forces of law enforcement agencies inspected the NBP maximum security compound where 20 convicted drug lords are incarcerated, following reports that they continue to conduct their drug trade from the national penitentiary.

De Lima said the 20 convicted drug lords will be moved from the NBP to cripple the drug syndicate from continuing its operations while investigations are continuing. PND (as)