Bilibid’s maximum security inmates pledge end to gangs

Groups inside the New Bilibid Prison's maximum security compound on Thursday vowed to disengage from gang activity at the national penitentiary.

The leaders of the 12 "barangays" in the compound signed a 22-point set of rules for persons deprived of liberty, an agreement that envisions NBP inmates leading a nationwide dismantling of the gang system that it acknowledges has links to crimes including the sale of illegal drugs and firearms.

"Kami ay sumasangayon sa mandato ng Bureau of Corrections na hindi na namin paiiralin ang pangkat," stated the 19th item in the guidelines.

"Bawal ang pag-oorganisa ng pangkat o gang sa loob at labas ng Bureau of Corrections facility sa buong bansa," it stressed.

Other rules in the signed agreement include prohibitions against rioting, keeping weapons, selling and using illegal drugs, swindling, gambling, committing adultery with visitors of fellow inmates, and theft.

The pledge was signed by the "chairpersons" of the barangays, who also led the burning of posters bearing the insignias of the gangs.

The gangs inside the maximum security compound -- previously renamed to "barangays" -- had a combined population of 17,346, according to the most recently updated prison statistics. A total of 2,307 inmates were unaffiliated.

Of the 12, Sigue Sigue Sputnik -- or Barangay Mapagmahal -- was the biggest with 4,474 members. It was followed in size by the Genuine Ilocano Group (Barangay Magalang) with 2,887 members and Batang City Jail (Barangay Nagkakaisa) with 2,326.

The other gangs were Sigue Sigue Commando (Barangay Maginoo), Hapi Go Lucky (Barangay Malipayon), Bahala Na Gang (Barangay Mapagbigay), Batang Mananalo (Barangay Manlalakbay), Batang Cebu (Barangay Sto. Nino), Batang Samar Leyte (Barangay Malinis), Batang Mindanao (Barangay Masagana), Bicol Region Masbate (Barangay Pag-Asa) and Oxo (Barangay Mapayapa).

Each had members ranging from 224 to 1,697. — Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/RSJ, GMA News