MANILA, Philippines–Justice Secretary Leila De Lima has relieved four more officials of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) after her third inspection inside the State penitentiary.
Relieved from their posts are Danilo Dador, Officer-in-charge of the Maximum Security Compound; Lucio Guevarra, Commander of the Guards of the Maximum Security Compound; Roberto Sespene, head of the Special Patrol Unit and Roberto Mandap, head of the inmates’ Visitation Services.
De Lima ordered that they be relieved from their posts after she had expressed dissatisfaction over the turnover of surrendered illegal and prohibited items inside the prison facility.
A total of eight boxes were placed around the prison facility so that inmates could surrender their contrabands without revealing their identities.
The Justice Chief believed that what was turned over were items no longer needed by the inmates.
The four officials are the second batch of ranking prison officials relieved from their posts.
Two weeks ago, De Lima relieved from their positions NBP Superintendent Roberto Rabo, NBP Operations Chief Celso Bravo and Davao Penalty head, Superintendent Venancio Tesoro.
The three reportedly signed the documents allowing the entry of posh but prohibited items and gadgets inside the state prison.
Two surprise raids were conducted by joint operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police-Special Action Force, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Armed Forces of the Philippines inside Bilibid.
Authorities seized posh appliances like LED television sets, refrigerators and game consoles. Aside from appliances, authorities also seized hot tubs, sex dolls, pornographic CDs, illegal drugs, a music room, millions of cash in pesos and dollars and blank checks.