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BuCor's Dir Gen Catapang to PDLs: Dismantle 'kubols'

Philippines | National

BuCor's Dir Gen Catapang to PDLs: Dismantle 'kubols'

By Czarina Nicole Ong Ki

Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. has given all persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in the bureau’s seven prison facilities until Sunday, Aug. 20, to dismantle their “kubols,” makeshift tents or booths put up for privacy and additional space.

If the “kubols” are not dismantled, “our bureau personnel will tear them down starting Monday, Aug. 21,” Catapang warned.

Previous reports stated that “kubols” are used by PDLs to hide contrabands like bladed weapons, firearms, cellular telephones, illegal drugs, and other items declared as contrabands and prohibited inside prison facilities.

"I have instructed newly appointed Deputy Director General for Operations Gil T. Torralba to lead this operation including the Greyhound (Galugad or search) operation that will be conducted regularly at the national penitentiary," he said.

He noted that PDLs at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City have voluntarily dismantled 60 makeshift rooms or “kubols” located at the security housing buildings 1 and 6 NBP North, SHB 9 NBP East Quadrant 4, and SHB 7 NBP West Quadrant 2. The dismantling of “kubols” in Quadrant 3 of the maximum-security compound was still ongoing, he said.

When asked why the “kubols” are being dismantled, Catapang explained: "We need to do this so that we can confiscate contrabands still in possession of PDLs. They are fully aware that we have given them chances to surrender all their contrabands but if they still refuse and they are caught red handed, I’m sorry to say that they will have to stay longer at NBP as we will not hesitate to file charges against them."

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