DOJ urged to probe Bilibid’s VIP prisoners

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) should conduct surprise inspections of the maximum security compound of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), where Chinese prisoners are allegedly living in luxury, according to a watchdog.

In a statement sent to The STAR, the group Bilibid Atin Ito said these prisoners are living in large, air-conditioned cells or kubol with hot and cold water on tap. The cells are equipped with 42-inch televisions, laptop computers and Wi-Fi connection, the group said.

They also reportedly enjoy the use of scooters, golf carts, two-way radios and bodyguards.

The STAR tried but failed to contact prison officials – Bureau of Corrections director Franklin Bucayu was out of his office for a meeting, according to his secretary, while NBP superintendent Fajardo Lansangan was reported to be in meetings for the whole day yesterday.

The group urged Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III to conduct a thorough investigation of the anomalies in the maximum security compound.

The group also said that the trade in illegal drugs, guns and prostitution as well as “extortion, suspicious deaths of inmates and protection of inmate killers are what is presently happening in this (compound).”

A convicted robbery gang leader was also allegedly given the privilege of sleeping in a big kubol, with a cook, a waiter and bodyguards on hand after he donated money to upgrade the NBP Hospital, the group said.

“While big-time inmates enjoy their own private cells, unfortunate prisoners sleep in jampacked cells without proper ventilation,” the group added.

The watchdog also said that a certain high-ranking police official visits the compound at all hours and usually comes out drunk.

The DOJ has conducted inspections after former Batangas governor Antonio Leviste was caught going out of the NBP and the reported kidnap of convicted killer Rolito Go and his nephew from the NBP reservation.