Hundreds of innocent residents of Muntinlupa City have been made virtual prisoners by officials of the Bureau of Corrections who have been accused of overstepping their authority within the New Bilibid Reservation.

Without consulting residents of Southville 3, a socialized housing subdivision in Muntinlupa City, the BuCor closed down their access outside the subdivision when the agency fenced-off several portions of the Insular Prison Road.

City officials condemned the BuCor action, pointing out that the city government did not issue any permit to allow the construction.

Muntinlupa City Rep. Ruffy Biazon reminded BuCor officials that what they did is illegal.

“That wall is illegal and is a nuisance as defined by Article 694 of the Civil Code as it obstructs and interferes with the free passage of a public highway or street,” Biazon said.

“What is more alarming is that no proper coordination whatsoever was made with the City Government of Muntinlupa and the barangay prior to the implementation of this order from BuCor,” he added.

According to Biazon residents in Southville 3 woke up Sunday finding out that portions of the road had been blocked by concrete walls.

` The Insular Prison Road in the New Bilibid Prison Reservation gives residents of Southville 3, access to and from the Poblacion proper and city proper of Muntinlupa.

Biazon chided BuCor officials for not consulting people who might be adversely affected by the fence they constructed.  

Residents said there was a clear plan not to advise them of BuCors decision because the construction was conducted during the nighttime.

“There were also no consultations at all with concerned government agencies, national and local, including the NHA and the DSWD,” he said.

“Since the BuCor Director was not available to talk to me yesterday and the officers present couldn’t make a decision to counter his order, I gave them time to take the matter up with him so he could decide,” he added.

The Muntinlupa lawmaker stressed that “the wall compromises the safety, security, and health of Southville 3 residents because it is blocking the most accessible entry into Southville 3, which will enable police, fire, and emergency services to quickly respond should the need arise.”

“It blocks the means for parents to get their children’s modules at the school located in Poblacion. The alternate route will take around 5-7 kilometers via Las Pinas and Bacoor, Cavite, with transportation cost increasing due to multiple PUV (public utility vehicle) rides,” he said.