De Lima forms body to probe VIP treatment of high-profile inmates
Justice Secretary Leila De Lima. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Justice Secretary Leila De Lima has ordered an investigation on the unauthorized movements of inmates inside the facilities of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) following the incident where a convicted drug lord managed to check into a private hospital without permission from the Department of Justice.
In a Department Order made public Thursday, the fact finding team, which will conduct the investigation, is composed of Justice Undersecretary Francisco F. Baraan III as chairman and his members are Jose Doloiras, Deputy Director for Intelligence Service of the National Bureau of Investigation and State Counsel Charles Cambaliza.
“Said Fact-Finding Committee shall be mandated to investigate further the incident involving Ricardo Camata, as well as validate and probe other similar recent incidents involving other high profile inmates,” De Lima said in the order.
Camata, alias Chacha, commander of the Sigue Sigue Sputnik gang, was taken to the Metropolitan Hospital in Manila allegedly due to lung ailment. He, however, got visits from starlet Krista Miller and television dancers.
Aside from Camata, last May 27 Herbert Colangco, alias Ampang, was also brought to Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Alabang. He was the leader of the bank robbery gang responsible for the heists in 2003 in Pampanga and Quezon City and Paranaque in 2005.
Article continues after this advertisementThen, last May 13, Amin Buratng, the operator of a shabu tiangge (drug flea market), was taken to Medical City due to recurring coronary artery disease and a liver ailment.
Article continues after this advertisementThe DOJ already relieved from their posts Fajardo Lansangan New Bilibid Prison (NBP) superintendent, Dr. Gloria Achazo-Garcia, acting head of the NBP hospital; Dr. Ma. Cecilia Villanueva, medical specialist 1 of the NBP; and Prison Superintendent Gabriel Magan.
De Lima said the committee will determine any administrative and/or criminal liability of the BuCor officials and personnel involved in allowing Camata to be taken to a hospital and receive unmonitored guest including starlet Krista Miller and two dancers.
The committee will also determine other similar incidents not only inside the NBP but in other BuCor facilities.
Aside from the NBP, other operating units of BuCor are the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City, Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Sabisyan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro, San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga City, Leyte Regional Prison in Abuyog, Leyte and Davao Prison and Penal Farm in Panabo Davao.
The body will also recommend measures to take to prevent similar incidents in the future.
De Lima gave the body up to July 18 to submit their report.
RELATED STORIES
NBP head, 12 guards axed over ‘starlet,’ ‘dancer’ scandal
Source: Another convict brought to hospital with starlet and TV dancers as guests
