De Lima: 2nd wave of Bilibid raid on the way

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Wednesday revealed authorities would be conducting a second raid inside the New Bilibid Prison to look for other inmates enjoying special privileges and being allowed to sneak in prohibited items while in detention.

 

"Ine-evaluate na namin iyong listahan ng posibleng second wave na mga ganoon din based on intelligence reports," De Lima said.

 

De Lima, however, said she does not think those who might eventually get busted during the second wave would be as big-time and high-profile as the 20 convicts arrested in the first wave of surprise raid at the maximum security compound of the NBP last Monday.

 

At the time, De Lima and members of the National Bureau of Investigation discovered illegal and prohibited luxury items – from drugs and firearms to sex toys, cash, communication gadgets, and jewelry.

 

De Lima said investigators are already verifying if the transfered convicts are likewise involved in the illegal drug trade inside the NBP, which was recently revealed to have been continuing through the use of gadgets that allow drug lords to discreetly communicate outside.

 

She said 19 of the 20 convicts were taken out of the NBP and temporarily detained at the National Bureau of Investigation. A 20th convict arrested that day was hospitalized.

 

"I would like to clarify na temporary lang iyang (pag-stay nila sa NBI). Mahirap kasi isagawa iyong operations namin kung nandiyan sila sa loob," De Lima said.

 

She said she has already followed up with Budget Secretary Florencio Abad the release of less than P30 million for the renovation of a detention facility were the 20 convicts can be detained, away from their fellow inmates at the NBP.

 

As for NBP officials who reportedly approved the entry of the contrabands, De Lima said she has already ordered them to explain why they should not be held administratively liable. She also vowed to address "in due time" what provisional actions that could be taken regarding these officials.

 

De Lima also addressed questions on how some NBP officials, like NBP officer-in-charge Superintendent Roberto Rabo, were able to remain in office despite earlier being suspended.

 

Rabo was suspended in November 2012 over a grenade throwing incident and confiscation of drug materials at the NBP.

 

He, however, returned to work and was even designated to replace then-NBP Superintendent Fajardo Lansangan who was implicated in the special treatment given to high-profile convicts by allowing them to be hospitalized outside the NBP.

 

"Some of them may administrative cases. Kaso ang problema may due process, on-going ang administrative proceedings," said De Lima.

 

She added: "Iyong iba nakapagserve na ng preventive suspension... kaya malamang na andiyan na sila ulit."

 

De Lima attributed to lack of personnel the continuous assignment of NBP officials despite having pending cases.

 

"Ilan lang din kasi ang mga superintendent na iyan so ang ginagawa ni-re-reshuffle lang namin iyan or rotate doon sa iba't ibang penal farms," she said.

 

De Lima said the signing of the implementing rules and regulations for the Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013 Friday last week would help solve this problem in personnel shortage. — KG/RSJ, GMA News