Boratong has two-story house in Bilibid?

MANILA, Philippines - Convicted shabu flea market operator Amin Imam Boratong has allegedly built a two-story house at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa.

Boratong, who is supposed to be serving time at the maximum security compound’s Dormitory 9-B, is reportedly staying in his newly constructed house beside the NBP chapel, a source told The STAR yesterday.

Boratong was convicted in 2006 for maintaining a shabu tiangge in Pasig City. 

“Every time the jail warden would conduct a head count, a runner – who is also an inmate at the maximum security cell – would inform Boratong of the head count,” the source said.

Boratong’s home in the NBP is reportedly equipped with air-conditioners and other amenities.

Another high-profile inmate, identified as a certain Sebastian, allegedly built a pool measuring 10 by 15 meters at the back of the NBP compound.

Sebastian, who was convicted for drug trafficking, is serving time at Dormitory 9-C1.

Other inmates called on Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director Franklin Jesus Bucayu to look into the existence of the facilities for convicted drug lords in the NBP.

For his part, NBP Superintendent Robert Rabo said the house being attributed to Boratong serves as a “praying area” for convicted Muslim elders.

“The house is used by imams every time they pray,” said Rabo.

He denied the existence of a swimming pool in the NBP, saying it is just a water reservoir.

Sources likewise confirmed reports that illegal drug trade is flourishing inside the NBP. 

They said shabu and other illegal drugs are sneaked into the prison compound buried under construction materials.

Sources said prostitutes are able to enter the NBP compound in connivance with some prison officers.

“There was an instance when a high-value inmate threatened to kill a prison officer for accosting his inmate-bodyguards. It’s the other way around now, the jail guards are the ones scared of the convicts,” the source said.

Malacañang had earlier expressed concern over the continued illegal drug trade and other irregularities in the national penitentiary.

Rabo said they had taken steps to address problems related to drugs.

He said 10 erring NBP personnel were dismissed, 37 suspended and the cases of 43 prison officers were forwarded to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for formal filling of charges.

BuCor is under the supervision of the DOJ.

Rabo said he has reshuffled 36 jail officers and subjected 159 personnel to drug tests. He said the results of the drug test will be known in the coming days.