Albayalde: Don’t blame SAF over entry of contraband in Bilibid

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Oscar Albayalde on Tuesday defended the PNP-Special Action Force (SAF) over criticisms that despite the elite unit's presence in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), contraband continue to be smuggled inside the facility.

"They have no personal interaction with the prisoners. Ang SAF ay nandoon lang para magbantay. So huwag natin sisihin ang SAF dito," Albayalde said during a press conference at Camp Crame.

"Nakakapasok 'yung mga cellphones or other gadgets usually kapag 'yung inmate, hindi naman natin nilalahat 'yung lahat ng BuCor guards, pero this is what was found out earlier na meron pa rin silang kakilala na guard na kapag duty 'yung guard na 'yun then medyo relaxed 'yung pagkapa doon sa papasok... kaya kung minsan meron pa rin nakakapasok na gadgets, cellphones," Albayalde explained.

At a Senate hearing on Monday, one Godfrey Gamboa, an inmate who claimed to be a victim of the “GCTA for sale” racket, bared that a prisoner would just pay if he/she wants a cellphone or television inside the prison facility.

"Kung cellphone, depende sa klase ng telepono, kung touchscreen o keypad, P500 sa gwardiya,” Gamboa said.

Senator Panfilo Lacson also said illegal drugs continue to thrive inside the NBP.

Albayalde, meanwhile, pointed out that it is also impossible for SAF members to befriend inmates as one SAF commando only stays in the prison facility for three to six months.

"'Yung duties ng SAF is rotation ang basis. After three to six months ng duty there papalit ulit ng bago," he said.

"So hindi kailanman mangyayari 'yan na magkakaroon sila ng kaibigan doon sa loob, not unless na meron na silang kaibigan sa loob," Albayalde said. — RSJ, GMA News