A total failure
According to the Philippine National Police, they are aware of the continuing illegal activities run by syndicates inside the New Bilibid Prisons. In fact, they also acknowledge that the NBP serves as a training ground for criminals wanting to be part of the known syndicates inside, especially the drug lords. Even incarcerated, these "lords" are able to continue trade of illegal drugs. In fact, it is probably more efficient since everyone inside the prison has the same mindset and frame of mind as the syndicate. No need to recruit, they're there to be utilized to the fullest. So once again, for the nth time, the DOJ has vowed to investigate these criminal activities and vows to put the house in order. What else is new?
The whole purpose of a prison is rehabilitation. Convicted criminals are kept here, away from a law-abiding society, to pay for their crimes and hopefully, change for the better if they want to become free. But it seems that is opposite of what is actually happening inside the NBP. Syndicates thrive, crime goes on, and the prisoners are no longer being "punished" but actually have a comfortable life inside the prison. That being said, what's the use of the prison? What is surprising is the PNP's awareness of everything going on. Why are there no actions to stop them? If the PNP know who these drug lords are, why are there no actions against them? Why not separate them total from the NBP and place them somewhere else in the country?
The anomalies happening within the NBP were made fully aware with the discovery of former Gov. Tony Leviste's illegal "outings". Powerful and affluent prisoners could buy their temporary freedom and allowed to leave the NBP unescorted and all, for as long as they come back. It takes a lot of bribing prison officials to be able to do that. Then we have the privileged lifestyle of the same rich and powerful inmates, complete with most if not all the luxuries of a free man. So much for being a prisoner.
Many directors of the NBP have come and gone in the past three years, each one promising change and reform. Each one failing miserably, each one blaming his subordinates for being corrupt, sometimes even sympathetic as to why prison guards are easily bought with their meager salaries serving as a justification of sorts. It goes to show who actually run the prison. Why this is so is really a valid question for authorities. If all they can do is give reasons why things are the way they are at the NBP, then it really is a useless prison. Rehabilitation is non-existent, crime continues, and prisoners enjoy more that if they were free. Why is it still called a prison is ridiculous.
For its intended purpose, I can say that the NBP is a total failure. It really is time to find a better penal institution to incarcerate the country's criminals far from Metro Manila. If the DOJ still intends to keep the NBP, then a total purge of all its personnel is necessary. The known lords must be segregated, isolated even from the general population. Privileges must be suspended. The NBP is not a resort, but a prison. It is not supposed to be treated as a respite for criminals. The reason for its failure is the continued lure of money from rich and powerful criminals. Cut the source of funds, and maybe there is still hope for the NBP to function as a prison.
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