Caballo Island eyed for new prison for minimum security inmates

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) is planning to use Caballo Island in Cavite as the location of a new prison.

A total of 160 inmates from the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa will be transferred in the isolated area once the facilities have been constructed, according to a report by Raffy Tima on "24 Oras" on Tuesday.

Retired Marine Major General Alexander Balutan, the incoming BuCor Director, said that they will be moving the inmates who have minimum jail sentences.

"Kasi kung yung mga hardened criminals ang ilalagay dun, kailangan din natin ng mas matindi yung security pa nain, structures na gagamitin dun. Ang iniisip nga natin ay ilagay dun yung nasa minimum lang, yung medyo lalaya na," Balutan said.

40 jail guards will be deployed there as well.

Presently, only members of the Philippine Navy reside in the island.

It was last used by peacekeepers who had been deployed in Liberia. They underwent quarantine in the island to ensure they didn't contract the ebola virus.

Caballo Island is two hours away from Cavite City, and can only be reached by helicopters and ships.

The island is also historic due to its use during World War II. The military will be cleaning up cannons still in the area and are deemed dangerous.

Atty. Enan Orceo, an incoming Justice Undersecretary, said that it might become a tourist attraction someday.

Balutan estimated that the facilities may be used a month after they receive the budget.

"Konting budget lang to, baka in a matter of a month's time matapos yun facilities, pwedeng ilipat na agad yung inmates dun," he said. —Jessica Bartolome/JST, GMA News