‘Bilibid is your cathedral no more,’ Bato tells convicted drug lords

Ronald dela Rosa, posing for photographers early this month in front of the New Bilibid Prison, says he told suppliers that even if they had a fistfight all day, he would not give in to lobbying. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

With his appointment as the new head of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) made official on Thursday, former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald dela Rosa vowed to take back the New Bilibid Prison from the control of convicted drug lords.

Dela Rosa, who retired on April 19 from the police service, said in a text message to the Inquirer on Thursday, “To the convicted drug lords: Bilibid is your cathedral no more.”

He explained in a succeeding text message that he was referring to the Colombian prison facility under the control of the late drug lord Pablo Escobar which was referred to as the “Cathedral.”

In his last press conference as PNP chief in Camp Crame held on April 10,  Dela Rosa said he would rid the NBP of  the illegal drug trade that had allegedly pervaded the prison.

He had told reporters in Filipino when asked about his plans for the BuCor, “Just watch what happens there.”

Dela Rosa also vowed he would clean up the prison once he assumes the helm of the BuCor but declined to give details saying, “I will tell you. Mark my words. I will succeed. I will not lose to those drug lords. As to how I will do it, just extend your wild imagination.”

The former PNP chief pointed out that his first order of business at the BuCor would be to account for all the convicted drug lords.

He also warned inmates and BuCor personnel who possibly connive to keep the drug trade alive within the prison walls, “Just in case they still do that and connive with jailed drug lords, stop it. Before I stop you.”