New BuCor chief vows to eradicate crime syndicates in national prisons

MANILA, Philippines—Newly appointed Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gaudencio Pangilinan on Thursday said that the eradication of crime syndicates inside the national penitentiary is his first priority in cleaning it up.

“This is a challenge. Eradication of syndicates is just one of the pressing concerns among many. I have a lot of things to do but at the same time, everybody must be treated humanely, fairly and squarely,” Pangilinan told reporters after he took his oath of office before Justice Secretary Leila De Lima.

Pangilinan said De Lima had given him guidelines and areas that he needed to prioritize in addressing the problems inside the national penitentiary.

“She gave me the guidelines on where to first focus. She also gave me a copy of the study that they have made before. I need to study them all, we have a lot of things to do there,” Pangilinan said.

A technical working group was created to determine the reforms needed inside the BuCor.

“This is different from the military service, I have to adjust,” Pangilinan said.

With regards to the plunder case filed against him by retired Army Lieutenant Colonel George Rabusa in connection with the fund anomaly inside the military, Pangilinan said he would respond to Rabusa’s “fabrication at the proper forum.”