DOJ chief orders probe of NBP inmate’s slay

MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa has ordered an investigation into the killing of inmate Charlie Quidato in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City last week.

In a statement yesterday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) chief said he has directed Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director Ricardo Rainier Cruz III to conduct a thorough probe of the incident in the maximum security compound of NBP last Thursday.

The probe would cover not only the killing of Quidato, but also the subsequent confiscation of contraband like high-powered firearms and a drone.

The DOJ chief revealed that an initial report from the NBP’s security response unit stated that inmate Ronald Catapang, a convicted drug trafficker, admitted to shooting Quidato, a former jail warden and the convicted killer of Masbate City mayor Moises Espinosa Jr. in 2001.

As for the contraband, Caguioa said he also ordered an independent investigation on the possible administrative and criminal liabilities of NBP personnel and inmates.

Military takeover ruled out

Meanwhile, Cruz ruled out the “military takeover” of the NBP as proposed by an anti-crime group.

“This is not conventional war,” Cruz told The STAR, adding that BuCor’s mandate is to protect criminals and provide an environment for criminals to reform for their eventual return to their respective communities.

Cruz, a bemedalled military veteran, said the illegal activities in the state penitentiary are being addressed by separating high-profile convicts who were identified to be responsible for the smuggling of guns and other contraband from the general prison population.

The NBP, built for 8,700 inmates, currently houses 23,000 inmates.

Cruz said at least 58 convicts are confined in separate high-security cells and prison guards conduct regular inspections to recover contraband in prison dormitories.

The gangs were also converted into barangay-type communities whose leaders were appointed, Cruz said. Leaders used to be elected by the inmates.

He said the full implementation of the BuCor modernization law will lead to the upgrading of salaries of prison personnel and the transfer of the NBP to a modern facility in Laur, Nueva Ecija in the next few years. – With Perseus Echeminada