Even in AFP camp, inmates still under BuCor, DND spox says

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) will continue to have custody over the high-profile inmates to be transferred reportedly from the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa to national military headquarters Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

According to Department of National Defense (DND) public affairs service director Arsenio Andolong on Friday: “Defense Secretary [Delfin] Lorenzana has favorably acted on the request of Justice Secretary [Vitaliano] Aguirre to provide space for inmates who will be transferred from [Bureau of Corrections] facilities to facilities under the [Armed Forces of the Philippines]. Bucor will be responsible for the transportation, logistics and resources involved in the transfer of the inmates. Bucor personnel will have custody over them while in detention.”

Andolong said the agreement was made through “private memoranda” between the two secretaries.

“The arrangement is that AFP will provide the facilities only while Bucor will be responsible for everything else,” Andolong said.

Andolong said the inmates will most likely be detained at the AFP custodial center, as it “is the only facility that’s ready to accommodate the sudden arrival of detainees.”

Andolong said he was not privy to how many inmates would be transferred, who they are, when they will arrive, and how long they will remain in the AFP camp.