JUSTICE Secretary Leila de Lima said stricter measures are needed to outwit the ingenuity of high-profile inmates from sneaking gadgets and other prohibited items inside their detention facility.
The 19 inmates were taken out of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) and transferred to an extension facility at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after a raid was conducted yielded contrabands like money, high-tech gadgets and sex toys.
A surprise inspection at the NBI discovered that the inmates have managed to sneak in gadgets.
“We need a stricter measure. Authorities should think ahead of the Bilibid inmates [because] they [inmates] are so resourceful, they can think of ways to smuggle cellphones,” de Lima said Wednesday.
She said a regular raid is being conducted by the NBI but gadgets continue finding their way into the facility.
She said inmates managed to sneak gadgets concealed in food packages, slippers and even inside fish.
De Lima reiterated the need to finish the renovation of Building 14 inside the Maximum Security Compound of NBP where all the high-profile inmates including those with mental disorder will be locked up.
“I am reiterating the directive na tapusin na ang Building 14,” de Lima said.
Among the inmates taken from NBP to NBI are: Eugene Chua; Sam Li Chua; Vicente Sy; George Sy; Tony Co; Joel Capones; Herbert Colangco; Peter Co; Amin Imam Boratong; Clarence Dongail; Tom Chua; Rommel Caponey; Jojo Baligad; Willy Chua (Cai Shao Ming); Michael Ong; Jacky King; Willy Sy; Noel Martinez; Agojo Y. Dona; and Benjamin Marcelo. AC