MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Monday said the visitation privileges of 20 inmates transferred from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will be restored “very soon.”

“We will soon be restoring their privileges, we’re just firming up the guidelines to ensure security and also to ensure that they will have no communication with their cohorts outside,” De Lima said.

The inmates were transferred from Bilibid to NBI last December 15 following a raid conducted by joint operatives of the NBI, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police that yielded illegal drugs, gadgets, sex toys, appliances, music room and a private gym.

The high-risk inmates had questioned their transfer in the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. The high court, however, junked the petition for the issuance of writs of amparo by inmates Amin Imam Boratong and Herbert Colangco.

Aside from Boratong and Colangco, the other Bilibid inmates who were also transferred to the custody of the NBI were: Noel Martinez, Michael Ong, Willy Sy, Peter Co, Eugene Chua, Chua Sam Li, Vincent Sy, George Sy, Joel Capones, Clarence Dongail, Tom Chua, Rommel Capoines, Jojo Baligad, Jacky King Sy, Willy Chua, Jacky King Sy and Herman Agojo.

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