Cash, pocket wifi, phone chargers found in illegal structures at NBP

MANILA, Philippines – Authorities have recovered over P200,000 cash, pocket wifi, phone chargers, and other prohibited items inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) as personnel demolished “kubols” or private quarters that have been illegally built by inmates in cahoots with some prison guards at the national penitentiary.

Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, acting director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), said Thursday that among the items confiscated during the clearing operations include P230,207 cash, three pieces of pocket wifi, three flash drives, two phone chargers, three headsets, 13 wristwatches, 35 bladed weapons, and a ream of cigarettes.

The clearing operations started on October 9 and ended on October 22, according to Police Maj. Titoy Jay Cuden, spokesperson of the NCRPO.

“Yung nakikita niyo palagi kung saan ‘yung mayayaman na inmates nakatira, giba na ‘yun [The structures where rich inmates stay are already gone],” Sinas said in a press briefing at Kamuning Police Station in Quezon City.

Aside from these contrabands, the clearing operations also reportedly led to the seizure of other prohibited items, including illegal drugs, sex toys, and ice cream freezers.

READ: Crackdown on ‘kubol,’ contraband starts at NBP

The crackdown against illegal structures at the NBP was conducted by around 1,800 personnel from the Bureau of Corrections, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, NCRPO, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Department of Public Works and Highways.

These private quarters are said to be areas where illegal activities, including selling illegal drugs and the use of cellphones, happen.

Sinas said that in total, 58 private quarters were demolished at Quadrant 1 of the NBP; 22 in Quadrant 2; 36 in Quadrant 3, and 39 in Quadrant 4. Another 19 stalls in other areas were also torn down.

Citing information from NBP personnel, Sinas said the latest clearing operation has pleased other NBP inmates who are underprivileged or could not afford to buy their way to convenient stay inside the jail facility.

“Kasi at least pantay-pantay na sila [at lahat ay] nasa loob ng building, wala na sa labas [At least now all of them are inside the building and not outside],” he said. /jpv