Another raid was conducted by DOJ Sec. Leila de Lima., after it was learned that most of the VIP prisoners in the NBP were tipped off about last Monday's surprise inspection. The raiding team may have been led somewhere else in order to hide more of the contraband that seem to proliferate in the prison. True enough, a false wall in one of the VIP cells hid a gym, along with air conditioners that were installed behind ceilings. They must have missed those in the first raid.
It was also learned that the monthly electricity cost of the NBP is about two million pesos. I wonder how much the succeeding bills would be now that all the air conditioning units, along with all the other appliances and the music studio have been confiscated. I believe the differential should be charged to all the VIP inmates who owned the contraband. They should also find out just how long this has been going on, based on the electrical consumption of the NBP. I really hate to think that we as taxpayers even contribute to the comfortable lifestyle of these criminals.
A check with the PNP also revealed that the guns found in the cells of these VIPs were registered under the names of an incumbent congressman, a councilor, a defeated candidate, and a government employee. How these guns found their way into the hands of convicted, incarcerated criminals is mind-boggling, and the DOJ wants to find out. The incumbent congressman has come forward saying that the pistol registered in his name and found in the one of the drug lord's cell was left at the store where he purchased it. He brought it there for repairs. The store is now saying that the person who handled the pistol is no longer working for them. Doesn't that make the gun store liable? What about the rest of the firearms? What explanations are going to come out from the supposed registered owners? Everyone seems to have a reason now that everything is out in the open.
Heads have started to roll, I think. Three of those officials of the NBP who signed off in allowing the contraband into the prison have been relieved, despite their explanations that frankly sound ridiculous. But I have to ask, why only three? Surely there is a network of those whose souls have been bought by these VIPs. When do they get the boot? As I've always said, just get rid of everyone, and start anew. Corruption and criminality within the NBP is too deeply rooted to just trim away the unwanted branches and leaves. The whole tree, poisoned as it is, must be cut down.
I wonder if there are more to be discovered in the NBP. I wouldn't be surprised if there are tunnels that lead to different places in the city. Something like that is no longer far-fetched, after what we have seen so far. Nothing seems impossible in the NBP.