Alcohol, tobacco smuggling busted at BuCor prison
An attempt to smuggle a significant amount of alcohol and tobacco inside Sablayan Prison was discovered causing the relief of its camp commander and a technical inspector. Photo from BuCor PIO
MANILA, Philippines — Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. immediately relieved a camp commander and another commissioned officer following an attempt to smuggle a significant amount of alcohol and tobacco into the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm (SPPF).
In a statement, the individuals relieved were Corrections Chief Inspector Francisco Madrid, the camp commander, and Corrections Technical Inspector Edgar Laudencia.
The two officers are currently assigned to the Directorate for Personnel and Human Resource Development at the National Headquarters in Muntinlupa City, pending further investigation.
An attempt to smuggle a significant amount of alcohol and tobacco inside Sablayan Prison was discovered causing the relief of its camp commander and a technical inspector. Photo from BuCor PIO
According to a report submitted to Catapang by SPPF Acting Superintendent Corrections Chief Inspector Abel Ciruela, the smuggling attempt involved a dump truck with plate number NAO 3283, which was spotted outside the perimeter of the SPPF Hospital.
Upon questioning, the driver, identified as Rob Antaran, presented a permit signed by Madrid authorizing him to deliver gravel and sand inside the prison facility.
However, once instructed to proceed to the designated unloading area, Antaran refused to unload his cargo, citing a hydraulic system malfunction.
An attempt to smuggle a significant amount of alcohol and tobacco inside Sablayan Prison was discovered causing the relief of its camp commander and a technical inspector. Photo from BuCor PIO
His persistent refusal prompted the security and operations personnel to question him further in the visiting area. It was there that Antaran confessed that the gravel and sand contained a substantial amount of contraband.
Upon unloading, authorities recovered the cache, including:
Alcohol:
213 bottles of 1L Ginebra San Miguel, 48 bottles of 700ml Ginebra San Miguel, 16 bottles of 1L Jack Daniel’s Whiskey, and two bottles of 700ml Jack Daniel’s Whiskey.
Tobacco products:
30 reams of Marlboro cigarettes (10 packs per ream), 69 reams of tobacco (10 packs per ream), 10 packs of tobacco (six bricks per pack), and 37 sticks of tobacco.
An attempt to smuggle a significant amount of alcohol and tobacco inside Sablayan Prison was discovered causing the relief of its camp commander and a technical inspector. Photo from BuCor PIO
Catapang has ordered a thorough investigation to determine if other personnel are involved.
He also required all superintendents of other operating prisons and penal farms to conduct a comprehensive review of their existing protocols for managing and inspecting deliveries, including implementing stricter guidelines for vehicle checks, monitoring entry permits, and conducting unannounced inspections to prevent similar events in the future./mcm
