9 drug inmates sent back to Bilibid maximum security compound
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) transferred 9 high-profile inmates to their original cells at the New Bilibid Prison’s (NBP) maximum security compound in Muntinlupa City on Friday.
This is amid a reported resurgence of drug activities inside the national penitentiary.
“The report about the transfer was already submitted to the office of the OIC (Officer-in-Charge) BuCor to be endorsed to the office of SOJ (Secretary of Justice),” said a BuCor report submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The report revealed the cell assignments of nine inmates who were transferred from medium security compound to Building 14 this morning.
Of the nine, Rico Caja, Joel Capones and Jojo Baligad were placed in cell 23 of Building 14 at the maximum security compound.
Inmates Benjamin Marcelo and Sam Lee Chua were transferred to cell 24. Hanz Anton Tan and Che Kit Chua were placed in cell 25 while Peter Co and Vicente Sy were assigned to cell 26.
“All these cells are located in block Charlie while Jaybee Sebastian is in block Alpha far from the cells of the 9,” the report added.
The transfer was made following Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II’s order on Monday to immediately return high-profile inmates to the maximum security compound. The convicts, specifically Sy, Co and Baligad, were key witnesses against detained Senator Leila de Lima, who is accused of involvement in Bilibid’s drug-trade.
READ: Aguirre orders return of high-profile inmates to maximum security
The resurgence of drug activities in NBP had also prompted BuCor Director General Benjamin delos Santos to resign on July 13.
READ: DOJ orders ‘Bilibid 19’ transfer
Aguirre took over the BuCor on Thursday. IDL/rga
READ: Aguirre takes over BuCor amid drug return to Bilibid
