The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said the “continued illegal activities” at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City had forced it to close another road inside its compound.
BuCor’s statement posted Saturday night, Nov. 27, did not specify the “continued illegal activities” it referred to in its post.
“The BuCor leadership in the exercise of its mandate of ensuring the safety and security of prison facility has decided to restrict the access of Katarungan Village,” BuCor said.
“This measure is made in response to several incidents and report on illegal activities perpetrated inside the NBP Camp. It stands firm on its position on the intensified and continued efforts in performing its mandates,” it said.
“BuCor will implement the same kind of service and treatment with the Katarungan Village in accordance with law and its lawful mandate,” it stressed.
Despite the closure of the road which was implement last Nov. 26, BuCor assured Katarungan Village residents that they have “more than enough access points like the access going to Daang Hari road,” it pointed out.
“Residents also have access to Muntinlupa City Hall through the Green Heights Subdivision which they had temporarily closed by themselves in the past but can be opened for purposes of accessibility,” it added.
Last Saturday, Nov. 27, the Muntinlupa City Council passed six resolutions in response to the latest road closure made at the NBP Reservation.
Majority Floor Leader Raul Corro said the six resolutions included the declaration of BuCor Director General Gerald Q. Bantag persona non grata in the city and condemning the illegal closure of the road.
Corro said the other resolutions called on President Duterte to stop the BuCor from enforcing road closures and evicting informal settlers; conduct of congressional inquiries into the BuCor’s actions, and the filing of civil, criminal and administrative cases against BuCor officials.
Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra last Saturday, Nov. 27, said he advised BuCor “to hold any further construction until we have discussed the underlying reasons or justification, and the proper consultations with the LGU (local government unit) and the communities affected has been conducted.”
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has administrative supervision over BuCor.