FEB.

2, 2015

NR # 3730B

Put the NBP under temporary management/administration

of the AFP: Erice
Theres a call in Congress urging the President to place the Bureau of Corrections
under the temporary management and administration of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines.
The 1987 Constitution designated the President as the Commander-in-Chief of all
armed forces of the country and whenever it becomes necessary, to call out such armed
forces to prevent lawless violence, invasion or rebellion, Rep. Edgar R. Erice (2 nd
District, Caloocan City) pointed out.
Erice made his call, through House Joint Resolution No. 27 referred to the
Committee on Public Order and Security, citing reputable media outfits like ABS-CBN
News, GMA News and the Philippine Star, to name a few, has been releasing news articles
on the supposed worsening situation in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).
This worsening situation is allegedly caused by rampant anomalies ranging from
the prisoners smuggling of firearms and explosives, prostitution workers, communication
gadgets, signal boosters and, scanning and jamming devices, alcoholic drinks,
domesticated animals including fighting cocks, and manufacturing of illegal drugs inside
the prison premises, Erice explained.
Erice said that all the illegal activities happening inside the NBP allegedly stemmed
from illegal drugs operations perpetuated by cunning prisoners with the support and/or
tolerance of scrupulous and corrupt officials of the NBP in exchange for consideration.
In a report dated July 2, 2014 prepared by PIS Danilo Dador, the officer-in-charge
of the Maximum Security Compound, it was stated that seventy-eight percent (78%) of the
inmates were found positive for using illegal drugs, Erice added.
Erice also noted that on November 11, 2014, the guards found during a surprise raid
235 grams of drugs packed in small plastic sachets at the ceiling of a common sleeping are
of inmates.
He also lamented that aside from drugs, the inmates have allegedly been able to
bring in scanning and jamming devices to help keep the illegal trade safe and unhindered
by delaying, if not keep, inspectors at bay.
In a report dated October 2014 prepared by NBP PSO1 Robert Veneracion, chief of
the Operations Center, numerous signal boosters had been installed inside the maximum
compound which hampered the operations of NBPs own signal jammers.

Erice noted that a few weeks after PSO1 Veneracion prepared a report to NBP Supt.
Celso Bravo about the numerous signal boosters he discovered inside the maximum
compound and supported it with photos thereof, instead of being supported and
commended for his work, he was allegedly relieved of his post.
While there still exist honest members from the ranks of the Bureau who faithfully
perform their official mandate, threats not only to their lives, but also to their careers,
cannot just be disregarded, Erice stressed.
Erice further noted that in the last two years alone, three (3) people from the Bureau
were killed under a suspected work-related circumstances: (a) Supt. Francisco Abonates,
assigned at the office of Director Franklin Bucayu, was killed on September 17, 2013 by
two gunmen right inside the compound of the BNP; (b) Noel Villacorta, a doctor working
for the NBP Hospital was killed on January 7, 2014 in a street attack in barangay Putalan,
Muntinlupa City; (c) PG1 Gerard Donato, a young member of a team that seized drugs
and firearms from drug pushers in the NBP on various occasions, was murdered last
October 21, 2014 in broad daylight in the same barangay.
The audacity of these prisoners to repeatedly violate the laws, disregard the
policies of the NBP and threat the NBP premises as their own little kingdom stemmed
from their connections to corrupt officials and personnel of the NBP themselves, in
addition to their capacity to communicate with and pay hired gunmen for those who
cannot be bought by their money, Erice said. (30) dpt