MANILA, Philippines — Mobile and internet signal must be cut in the entire New Bilibid Prison, President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesman said Monday, following reports that some high-profile inmates continue to use cellphones and internet inside the national penitentiary.
“That’s simple. We can easily give a solution to that. When we have state visits, our cellphone [signals] are easily cut. Then all you need is to cut that off,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.
“Who will cut that off? Of course, the operator – Smart and Globe. That’s it. That simple,” Panelo added.
He said he would suggest this proposal to the President.
Previous reports showed that convicted drug lords and high-profile inmates Bilibid have been operating drug transactions inside the Bilibid using mobile phones and the internet.
“They’re using the communication system to commit illegal act, so might as well [cut the signal],” Panelo said.
“If that’s the only problem, if it aggravates the problem, then let’s remove it (signal),” he added. /kga