Destroy the drug machinery inside penitentiaries.
This was the marching order of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra to former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa as he takes the helm of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).
Guevarra said Dela Rosa was mandated to crack down on the illegal drug trade in the country’s penitentiaries, including the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.
“There will be only one marching order for Chief Dela Rosa: Destroy the drug machinery inside the penitentiary,” Guevara said in a text message sent to reporters.
The Justice chief said he was set to meet Dela Rosa on Friday (May 11) to discuss their plans for BuCor, amid reports that illegal drugs still proliferate inside the NBP.
The BuCor is an attached agency of the Department of Justice. /ee