NBP convict to undergo surgery at Heart Center

MANILA, Philippines - A convicted drug lord, who was rushed to the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) on Monday, is set to undergo angioplasty, a prison official said yesterday.

Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director Franklin Bucayu said Camad Mamao will undergo surgery soon upon the advise of his cardiologist at the PHC.

“His (Mamao) being brought to the hospital is aboveboard and was approved by the NBP’s superintendent. We are attending to an emergency situation and all rules and regulations was complied with,” Bucayu said in an interview.

According to Bucayu, he personally informed Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan of Mamao’s impending trip to the hospital.

Mamao was subjected until June 26 to intensive consultations with NBP Hospital doctors, who diagnosed him as suffering from a heart ailment, Bucayu said. Angioplasty is a surgical operation to clear a narrowed or blocked artery.

The NBP Hospital then reiterated its earlier request to NBP prison superintendent Celso Bravo, who approved Mamao’s emergency referral to a hospital outside the prison compound.

Mamao left the NBP at around 1:30 p.m. and was checked up at the PHC, whose doctors recommended him for admission. However, since no room was available at the time, his cardiologist advised him to return when a room is available, Bucayu said.

Mamao’s visit to the PHC is controversial as Baraan has yet to release the findings on his investigation of the special treatment received by three high-risk prisoners who have also undergone treatment at hospitals outside the NBP.