MANILA, Philippines–Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Friday has ordered Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Chief Gerald Bantag to conduct an investigation on the explosion that occurred inside the New Bilibid Prison’s maximum security compound that houses high-risk inmates.
“The DOJ oversight team has directed the Bucor chief to submit a written report and to commence an investigation in coordination with the PNP contingent stationed at the NBP,” Guevarra told reporters.
“It’s an indication of how serious the security problem is inside the NBP,” he added.
The blast occurred at Quadrant 4 of the NBP maximum security compound while demolition was ongoing around 10 a.m. Friday.
The initial probe showed that the explosion site was occupied by convicted extremist offenders from the Abu Sayyaf Group, Maute Group, the Rajah Solaiman Group, Jemaah Islamiya, and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
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