NBP raided anew

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) raided anew the New Bilibid Prison (NBP)’s maximum security compound yesterday.

The raid, led by NBP Superintendent Richard Schwarzkopf, resulted in the seizure of more contraband – bladed weapons, improvised guns, an air conditioner and a flat-screen television.

The air conditioner and flat screen TV were seized from the cell of former Calauan mayor Antonio Sanchez, a convicted rapist, said NBP officials.

Sanchez told the raiders that he needed the air conditioner because he has skin asthma.

Some 3,000 inmates serving time at the maximum security compound were relocated to another area during the search.

Meanwhile, Sen. Grace Poe said a shakeup within the ranks of the BuCor should be undertaken to weed out corrupt and incompetent prison officials.

Poe made the call following a raid on the national penitentiary that resulted in the seizure of high-powered firearms, illegal drugs, sex toys and other contraband on Wednesday.

“It looked like there’s an armory there for a long time and NBP officials seemed as shell-shocked as we are when the raid took place. It obviously took years to hoard all those firearms and the NBP officials never found out?” she said.

“This is not the first time that we are hearing about this and I don’t think excuses such as ‘nalusutan lang’ are valid. Corrupt practices among officials and personnel of the NBP must be stamped out,” she added.

 Poe underscored the need to strictly implement the BuCor modernization law to improve the skills of jail personnel.

“It’s been a year since the law was signed. The reform must be instituted immediately to address prison based-crimes and make all penal facilities drug-free,” she said.       – With Marvin Sy