MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday admitted that the problem of illegal activities inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) has long been rampant and already has deep roots, making it difficult for the administration to solve.
“Sa aking pagkaunawa sa paliwanag ni (Justice) Secretary (Leila) de Lima…marami sa mga iligal na aktibidad ay napansin na simula pa noong nagsimula ang adminstrasyon. Natambad din sa kamalayan niya na ito ay malawak at malalim na problema na hindi naman puwedeng sa isang iglap lamang ay malulutas,” Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said in a press briefing.
New Bilibid Prison. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
(Based on my understanding of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima’s explanation…many of the illegal activities there were monitored at the start of the administration. She also realized that the problem is already extensive and deeply-rooted that it cannot be solved overnight.)
On the other hand, Coloma said recent raid at the NBP, which resulted in the seizure of drugs and other illegal items, was part of the reforms being implemented by President Benigno Aquino III.
He said De Lima mentioned that Aquino was mostly disturbed by the discovery of firearms, in the possession of inmates, inside the national penitentiary.
Coloma assured the public that the government will continue to pursue the issue and will consider the dismantling of structures where the illegal items were hid.
“‘Yan ang tinututukan natin ngayon, ‘yung maging ganap ‘yung pagsabat sa mga iligal na aktibidad, at sa pahayag na rin mismo ni Secretary de Lima, ‘yung maging “drug free” ang ating national penitentiary,” he added.
(That’s what we are focusing on, that all illegal activities be stopped, and based on the statement of Secretary de Lima, that the national penitentiary be “drug free.”)
He said the Department of Justice will ensure that those involved in the illegal activities will be held accountability and be punished.
“Si Secretary de Lima po mismo ang nagpahayag na magiging ganap ang kanilang pagsisiyasat at magiging ganap din ‘yung accountability process para dito. Kaya antabayanan po natin ‘yung kanyang magiging aksyon hinggil dito,” he explained.
(Secretary de Lima herself said that there will be a thorough investigation and accountability process. So let’s just wait for their action on the matter.)
Coloma added that various reforms in the country’s penology system are being instituted.
He pointed out that the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Board earlier voted for the construction of a modern facility in Nueva Ecija, which will feature a more effective system of confinement that will focus on reforming the individual.
“Kinikilala natin na isa sa mga kahinaan ng ating criminal justice system ay ‘yon ding mga kahinaan sa ating penology system. Maraming mga loopholes, maraming mga practices na doon sa mga nakaraang taon ay pinahihintulutan at sa kasalukuyang administrasyon ay tinutukoy ang lahat ng mga ito,” he said.
(We recognize the weaknesses of our criminal justice system and the weaknesses of our penology system. A lot of loopholes, a lot of practices in the previous years that were allowed by past administrations are currently being addressed.)
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