Over 300 Bilibid drug convicts moved to Sablayan penal farm

Bureau of Corrections. INQUIRER FILES

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has transferred more than 300 inmates from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City to Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro as part of a plan to consolidate all those involved in drug-related cases into a single “supermax” facility.

The NBP prisoners were transferred on Wednesday night on board 10 commercial buses. They were escorted by BuCor Special Weapons and Tactics teams, medical personnel, Muntinlupa police officers, as well as South Luzon Expressway and STAR Toll Highway Patrol units, BuCor said.

Cellphone-free policy

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier ordered the relocation of high-profile drug offenders to regional prison facilities, following reports they have been able to continue their illegal activities even while inside the national penitentiary.

Earlier this week, BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. also ordered a “no cellphone policy” inside all operating prisons and penal farms (OPPFs) nationwide as part of heightened security protocols.

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The directive covers all commissioned and noncommissioned officers, civilian personnel, visitors, and other individuals entering the premises of the BuCor, NBP camps, and all OPPFs.

Catapang said he had ordered the immediate procurement of two-way radios as an alternative mode of communication.

According to BuCor, there would be regular and random inspections at all entry and exit points of prison facilities and work areas of its personnel to prevent the smuggling of mobile phones.

Any cellular phone or related devices discovered shall immediately be confiscated and reported to appropriate authorities, for proper documentation and disposition, it said.

All personnel found to be involved in the unauthorized entry or use of cellular phones would also be subjected to administrative and criminal sanctions, Catapang warned.

READ: 784 inmates released from June 11 to July 18 — BuCor