Bato dela Rosa makes Colanggo sing, gets name of top drug lord at NBP

Convicted armed robber and drug dealer Herbert Colanggo, who shot music videos inside the New Bilibid Prison in the past, was made to "sing" by PNP chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa, Jun Veneracion reported on "24 Oras" Wednesday.

In the process, Colangco confirmed to Dela Rosa that Peter Co was the top drug lord who continues to operate his illegal business from inside the national penitentiary.

"Magaling kang kumanta?" Dela Rosa asked Colanggo, when the high-profile inmate that used to have lavish accommodations at the NBP was presented to the PNP chief.

"Konti sir," Colangco replied.

Members of the PNP Special Action Force have taken posts inside the NBP to check illegal drug operations and the special treatment of wealthy inmates like Colanggo.

"Mag-compose ka ng ikanta mo sa akin ha?" Dela Rosa said.

"Si Peter Co, totoo ba na siya ang hari-hari ng drugs dito? Siya ang hari-hari sa drugs?" he asked.

"Yes sir," Colanggo said sheepishly.

Aside from Colanggo, Co and another high-profile inmate, Jaybee Sebastian, were presented to Dela Rosa.

The inmates were taken by bus to temporary detention cells while Building 14 at the Maximum Security Prison was being scoured by the police.

"Tandaan mo ito, walang ibang makakaligtas sa 'yo kundi ang Diyos," Dela Rosa told Colanggo, who was wearing a rosary around his neck.

SAF takes over NBP

A total of 320 SAF troops will take over NBP for a few months while the 200 NBP employees undergo training.

Dela Rosa, himself a member of the elite police unit, told SAF members stationed at the NBP not to accept any bribes.

At the turnover ceremony, Dela Rosa reminded them not to accept anything from the suspected drug lords inside the prison.

“Huwag kayong magpacorrupt. Huwag na huwag kayong magpapaloko ha. Isang report lang na isa sa inyo ay tumanggap ng bribe, kahit piso o kahit isang balot ng candy na tatanggapin niyo, that will destroy everything,” Dela Rosa said.

Provisions ensured

According to Dela Rosa, SAF members will be provided with everything they need.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II pushed for the deployment of SAF inside the NBP amid continuing efforts to curb the illegal drug trade.

“Nandito kayo, susuportahan kayo ng Secretary of Justice. Ano kailangan niyo, pagkain, ipro-provide sa inyo ‘yan. Basta huwag na huwag kayo magpapa-bribe,” Dela Rosa said.

Duterte earlier alleged that illegal drugs are being manufactured right inside the national penitentiary.

“Hindi po namin sinasabi na itong mga present Bureau of Correction officials ay nagpabaya sa kanilang trabaho," Dela Rosa said.

"Alam po namin ang inyong handicap, ang inyong kahirapan, ang inyong limitasyon, kaya nagkakaroon ng problema,” he added.

‘Don’t let Duterte down’

Dela Rosa, who was wearing the uniform of SAF commando, emphasized his trust in the police troopers.

“Suot ko itong uniporme niyo, because I know you are with me in this fight against drugs, criminality and corruption," Dela Rosa said.

"Please do not let me down. Do not let the President down. Do not let the Filipino people down. Kayo na po ang pag-asa, kaya ayusin niyo po ang trabaho niyo,” he added. —NB/KG, GMA News