MANILA, Philippines — Prison guards have been using the mobile wallet app GCash as another money-making scheme from inmates, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) acting Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. both confirmed Monday.
Catapang said they have seized around P300,000 hidden in a locker of a prison guard, which was a proceed of the scheme.
Remulla said some PDLs receive money from their family through GCash, coursed through prison guards since PDLs are not allowed access to mobile phones.
“Sa mga GCash pinapadala ng kamag-anak sa PDL. Kinakaltasan ng mga tao dito ng 12% to 20% [Family members send the money for the inmates through GCash of the prison guard who will deduct 12% to 20% from the amount],” Remulla said.
A person deprived of liberty (PDL) can have a limited amount of cash while incarcerated to spend on necessities.
Catapang said they discovered the scheme after making rounds early this month.
“Umiikot ako dito, sabi nung inmate ‘sir pakiusapan mo yung nagpapaload sa amin babaan naman yung kaltas.’ Ang alam ko kapag P1,000, ang kinakaltas ay P100 [While I was making rounds, one inmate told me ‘sir can you talk to the person receiving our money transfer to reduce the deduction?’ What I know is that if they received P1,000, the deduction is P100],” Catapang said.
Catapang said they have caught six guards involved in the scheme and have been subsequently discharged from service.