PNP, DOJ order separate probes on resurgence of Bilibid drug trade

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II (L) and PNP Direstor General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa at Philippine National Police headquarters, Camp Crame in Quezon City. INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have ordered separate investigations on the alleged resurgence of illegal drug trade in the National Bilibid Prison.

PNP Chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has ordered the Directorate for Intelligence (DI) through Police Chief Superintendent Gregorio Pimentel, while Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) through Director Dante Gierran.

Dela Rosa wished the allegations were untrue, but decided to order an in-depth probe to verify them.

“Sana mali ang allegations (I hope the allegations are wrong), gentlemen. But then again, in order to be fair doon sa accuser at in order to be fair to the accused, you must conduct an in-depth investigation,” dela Rosa told reporters.

“Klaruhin natin ito kung talagang totoo yan. Mahirap yun, masira ang institusyon natin. Bago man masira, kung talagang totoo, we have to weed out kung sino mang involved (Let’s clarify if that is true. That’s hard because it may defame our institution. Before it gets defamed, if really true, we have to weed out whoever is involved),” he added.

Meanwhile, under Department Order No. 457, Aguirre “directed and granted authority to conduct investigation and case build-up over the reported resurgence of illegal drug trade at the New Bilibid Prisons, Muntinlupa City and if evidence warrants, to file the appropriate administrative and criminal cases against those responsible for the same.”

The Justice secretary admitted on July 3 that he has received reports that there was resurgence of the illegal drug trade.

READ: Aguirre admits resurgence of drug trade at NBP

“I have received reports that there (was) some reactivation; we are doing something about this. We are going to end this resurgence, some sort of resurgence by some inmates. I talked to the Director General last Saturday, and we know what we are going to do,” Aguirre said. Rogelio Nato, Jr., INQUIRER.net trainee/JE