Dismantle all special kubols inside Bilibid in 2 weeks or else-de Lima

An NBI agent inspects the National Bilibid Prison maximum security compound in this December 19, 2014, photo after DOJ Sec. Leila de Lima ordered luxurious “kubols” full of contraband of drug lords and robbery gang leaders demolished. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila De Lima on Wednesday gave the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) two weeks to dismantle all special “kubols”  at the Maximum Security Compound inside the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP).

“I told them not to wait for me to be the one to do it. Kung hindi nila gagawin (If they do not comply), they will be charged administratively,” De Lima warned.

The secretary specifically mentioned the kubol of inmate Jaybee Niño Sebastian, if he had one.

“I reiterated yesterday that if Jaybee Sebastian has a kubol, it should be dismantled. Do not wait for me to do it,” she added.

In his blog, BuCor Superintendent Venancio Tesoro described a kubol as a “cubicle” which assured the privacy of inmates within crowded prison dormitories.

Tesoro noted however that “Kubols in the public perception is also a template for luxury, an expression of excess and an unjust arrangement which moneyed inmates could partake.”

Based on the report prepared by NBI prison guard III Eugene Dr. Ciruela, who listed down the items found in Dormitories 2-B and 9-D2 of the maximum security compound, high end gadgets were recovered from Sebastian. The guards also recovered Johnnie Walker Black Label and Royal Salute and P55,620 cash in his cell.

A raid was done by joint operatives from the National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police-Special Action Force, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the military last Dec. 15 which yielded illegal drugs, firearms, high-end gadgets, posh appliances, a music room, a private gym, a sex doll and hot tubs.

De Lima said the Dec. 15 raid was just the initial salvo.