‘Inmates mastermind kidnappings from Bilibid’

MANILA, Philippines - Inmates serving time at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) continue their illegal activities through mobile phones, a police official said yesterday.

The official made the statement following the arrest of a convict’s sister for her alleged involvement in a kidnapping. 

Maribel Bucala, whose brother is detained at the NBP, was arrested after she was tagged in the kidnapping of a Chinese-Filipino in Quezon City recently, Senior Superintendent Roberto Fajardo, chief of the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group, said.

“Kidnapping groups still thrive even with their leaders serving prison terms because they manage to smuggle cell phones into the national penitentiary,” Fajardo said. “Kidnap for ransom remains a lucrative business for these criminals.”

Fajardo said having access to mobile phones allows convicted members of kidnap rings to form new criminal groups to continue their operations.

“The inmates should not be given access to mobile phones or other forms of communication. They should be isolated,” he said.

Police said the victim was freed by her kidnappers on Dec. 23 after her family paid P150,000 in ransom through a money courier service.

The victim was kidnapped in Barangay Doña Imelda, Quezon City on Dec. 17.

Fajardo said a follow-up operation resulted in the arrest of Bucala.

Kidnapping charges have been filed against Bucala, police said.

Fajardo said 37 kidnappings were recorded this year compared to 50 in 2014 and 52 in 2013.