De Lima admits tension remains at New Bilibid Prison

MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila De Lima on Monday admitted that tension among gangs inside the New Bilibid Prison still lingers.

“What I can admit now is there’s still tension there, some tension between and among certain gangs,” De Lima told reporters.

She said the tension “is the result of the ongoing incident about the grenade throwing last Nov. 16 and the crackdown on any and all types of contrabands.”

The authorities conducted an inspection following the grenade blasts and confiscated several gadgets including an iPad, and iPhone 4S, alcoholic drinks and bladed weapons.

De Lima added that the Bureau of Corrections have also issued a deadline to all inmates at the national penitentiary to surrender all contrabands.

“Depending on the yield, raids will also be conducted,” De Lima said.

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