Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. (INQUIRER file photo)
MANILA, Philippines — Removing the walls of “kubol” or makeshift dwellings in the maximum security compound of New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City will prevent the proliferation of illegal activities in the facility.
Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. revealed that about 50 to 70 makeshift dwellings are in each of approximately 400 to 500 NBP dormitories.
So far, BuCor already dismantled structures in 23 dormitories.
“Yung mga dingding lang naman ang tinatanggal natin para tagus-tagusan. Kitang kita sila,” the BuCor chief said in an interview over Radyo 630.
(We are only removing the walls so that these are see-through. They are clearly seen.)
“Wala ng takip. Kasi dun na naman nagkakaroon ng problema, kapag sarado. Hindi mo nakikita yung ginagawa nila,” he explained.
(There is no more cover. That is where the problem arises when these are closed. You don’t see what they are doing.)
According to Catapang, these makeshift dwellings were created by convicts who wanted privacy, especially when accommodating visitors.
The bureau’s move was prompted by reports that some prisoners were engaging in criminal activities.
Catapang added CCTV cameras will be installed inside the dormitories and near the makeshift dwellings.
The dwellings occupied about 10 hectares of the maximum security compound.
To address the congestion problem, BuCor will start transferring prisoners to Palawan and Davao in September.
“Next month, maglilipat ako sa Iwahig, Palawan at maglilipat din ako sa Davao. Hopefully, mabawasan pa. Pero dapat, tuloy tuloy ang pagpapagawa natin [ng facility],” Catapang said.
(Next month, I will implement transfers to Iwahig, Palawan, and I will also transfer some prisoners to Davao. Hopefully, the number will be decreased. But the building of the facility should be continuous.)
Catapang claimed basic needs like food of the so-called persons deprived of liberties would not be a problem in Iwahig.
He said about 28,000 hectares of land in the province can be used for farming.
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