BuCor files rap vs SAF who staged ‘raid’ with help of inmates

(Updated) The Bureau of Correction (BuCor) has filed before the Muntinlupa Prosecutors’ Office a criminal complaint against a member of the Special Action Force (SAF) for staging a fake raid and stealing from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) chapel’s vault.

BuCor Director Benjamin Delos Santos said in a text message that a complaint for robbery has been filed against Sgt. Roger Opong on Thursday.

He said the Opong staged a “raid” enlisting the help of two prisoners and took P200,000 cash and a television set last March 29.

“He even provided the PDL (person deprived of liberty) SAF uniforms,” Delos Santos said in an interview over radio DZMM.

He said the SAF trooper eventually confessed to the NBP chaplain.

“He admitted his wrongdoing and apologized that he can no longer return the money,” Delos Santos said, adding that the SAF trooper said that he does not know who took the television set.

Delos Santos added that they are also investigating two other incidents involving drugs.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II earlier said SAF may have been tainted with the resurgence of drugs trade inside Bilibid.

Delos Santos said that they still manage to confiscate portions of illegal drugs that visitors managed to smuggle for the inmates’ personal use.

But he pointed out that the transactions involving huge amounts of money have been curbed. JE/rga