Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra on Tuesday, Nov. 30, said the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) have ironed out a “possible solution” to the Nov. 26 closure of a road within the compound of the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.
The closure of the road that serves as access to the Katarungan Village and two schools drew the ire of residents and the Muntinlupa City government which declared BuCor Director General Gerald Q. Bantag persona non grata, an unwelcomed or unacceptable person in the city.
Guevarra said he met with BuCor Deputy Director Gabriel P. Chaclag and ironed out a “possible solution” which would be made public once Bantag gave his approval. Bantag was reportedly indisposed.
The DOJ exercises only administrative supervision over BuCor.
“We agreed on a possible solution to the road problem, but Spox Gabby would have to secure DG Bantag’s conformity first,” Guevarra said.
“Pag okay na kay DG Bantag, you will be informed (Once Director General Bantag gives his conformity, it will be made public),” he assured.
BuCor had justified the closure of the road. In a statement, it said: “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. This measure is made in response to several incidents and report on illegal activities perpetrated inside the NBP Camp.” The statement did not give details.
It said that Katarungan Village residents have “more than enough access points.”
“They have access going to Daang Hari road. They 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.