Improvised deadly weapons, cellular telephones and chargers, portable two-way radios, and matches were confiscated from persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the maximum-security compound of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.
The prohibited items inside the NBP were confiscated during “Oplan Galugad” (Search Operation) conducted last Friday, Oct. 28, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said.
“Ang ganitong search operation ay naglalayon rin na mapuksa ang pagpasok ng mga ipinagbabawal na bagay sa loob ng piitan at upang maiwasan ang mga ilegal na gawain ng mga Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs); magkaroon ng katiyakan ang kanilang kaligtasan maging ng bawat Corrections Officers na nakatalaga sa bawat pasilidad ng bilangguan (The search operation is aimed at curtailing the entry of illegal items into the prisons, preventing inmates from doing illegal activities; and ensuring the safety of corrections officers),” BuCor said.
“Ilan sa mga nakumpiskang kontrabando sa naturang searching operation ay Cellphones, Chargers, Posporo, Radio Communication, upos ng sigarilyo at iba’t-ibang uri ng improvised deadly weapons (Some of those seized during the search operation include cellphones, chargers, matches, radio communication, cigarette butts and improvised deadly weapons),” it said.
The search operation was conducted amidst entry of banned items into BuCor’s prison facilities.
In can be recalled the case of the late Jun Globa Villamor, an inmate at the NBP who was tagged as a “middleman” in the killing of radio commentator Percival Mabasa, better known as Percy Lapid, last Oct. 3.
Villamor’s sister, Marisa (not her real name) sought the assistance of Senator Raffy Tulfo. She was turned over to the Department of Justice (DOJ) which placed her under the government’s Witness Protection Program.
In her testimony, Marisa said her brother sent her text messages via cellular telephone and told her that he feared for his life. She said her brother also texted her that three NBP inmates were involved in Percy Lapid’s killing.
On the day self-confessed gunman, Joel S. Escorial, was presented to the public and a few hours after Villamor's text messages to his sister, the alleged “middleman” died at the NBP.
The result of the second autopsy conducted by noted forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel B. del Rosario-Fortun showed that Villamor “died from suffocation by means of a plastic bag over his head.”
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said that the “masterminds” in the killing of both Percy Lapid and Villamor may be known this week.
Newly appointed BuCor Officer-in-Charge Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. had earlier vowed to tighten the bureau’s security against the entry of illegal items into its prisons.
“Yun ngang marching orders ni SOJ is to make sure that walang makakapasok or makakalabas na hindi namin naiinspect (Remulla’s marching orders have been to make sure to inspect everything that goes in and out of the BuCor prisons),” he said.
TAGS: #BuCor #DOJ #Percy Lapid