MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has deferred the plan to dismantle special cubicles or “kubol” in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa after prison gang leaders claimed that such facilities are part of the rehabilitation program of prisoners.
De Lima told a news conference yesterday that she would first “dig deeper and research further on what really is the kubol system” before deciding on the demolition of over 200 kubols at the NBP.
She would first validate claims of the leaders of gangs that include the Batang City Jail, Sigue-sigue Sputnik and Genuine Ilocano inside the penitentiary that the kubol system is actually beneficial to inmates as it is used in their reward and punishment system.
“We had an executive session with the gang commanders and they asked me to reconsider my order for the dismantling (of all kubols). They said the system has been democratized already and kubols are not for the exclusive used of wealthy inmates.
“I’m open to really find out or determine what are the benefits and disadvantages of the kubol system. And if there are more disadvantages than benefits, then we will proceed with that order to dismantle,” she stressed.
De Lima directed officials of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) to make a plan on the demolition of all kubols at the NBP “just in case I decided to proceed with it.”
Gang leaders reportedly manage the buildings and kubols.
The Justice secretary earlier ordered the immediate dismantling of kubols that were discovered by Department of Justice (DOJ) officials and congressmen belonging to the House committee on justice during an ocular inspection last Tuesday following reports of special privileges granted to rich and influential inmates.
The officials found concrete cubicles decorated with tiles and mirrors that also have small kitchens and comfort rooms.
A convicted Chinese drug dealer occupied one of the cubicles.
De Lima admitted that the demolition of the kubols is “not as easy as it seems” as it requires thorough planning and additional security since it could lead to unrest among inmates.
She said this issue might be tackled by the inter-agency technical working group that would be created next week to come up with proposed reforms at the BuCor and NBP to address anomalies like special treatment, illegal drug use, prostitution and bribery inside the prison.
“I think these (issues) will be properly addressed by revision of the manual and appointment of the right guy as BuCor director. This is very crucial – he should be an expert in the area of jail management and penology and should come up with the right program for rehabilitation of inmates,” she explained.
De Lima assured the people that imminent reforms in the penitentiary system would still be rehabilitative and not punitive in nature so as to comply with United Nations and international standards on corrective penal system.