BuCor sacks 26 prison guards

MANILA, Philippines — At least 26 corrections officers have been dismissed from service for grave misconduct since Gregorio Catapang took over as Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief two years ago.

In a statement yesterday, Catapang said the figure is separate from the 71 corrections officers and 35 uniformed and non-uniformed personnel who are currently under investigation for various allegations and offenses.

Catapang vowed that he would continue the cleansing of the agency “until discipline and values are inculcated in the hearts and minds of all personnel.”

“While we rewarded with promotion those who have been good at doing their job and continue to be an asset for the agency, we also dismissed and reprimanded personnel who continue to be a liability and disgrace to the agency,” he added.

Catapang noted that at least 129 corrections personnel have been promoted.

“We will continue to promote deserving personnel, and we will continue to recruit new blood and rest assured that as long as I am the director general. I will continue to reform the bureau until everything is put in order,” Catapang said.

He added that with the help of BuCor personnel, they could turn around in five years the 50 years the bureau has been neglected.