NBP drug trade moved from maximum to medium security compound —cop-witness

A police official on Thursday said following the controversial raid at the New Bilibid Prison involving the "Bilibid 19" in December 2014, the illegal drug trade inside the national penitentiary persisted and merely transferred from the maximum to the medium security compound.

In his testimony before the House, Senior Superintendent Jerry Valeroso, formerly assigned at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group at Camp Crame, also claimed that P65 million from one of the drug lords could have gone missing before the raid.

Sr Supt Jerry Valeroso is the next witness. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/MjkBgNcv34

— Tina PanganibanPerez (@tinapperez) October 6, 2016

Valeroso said through "intelligence buildup" and several anti-narcotics buy bust operations inside the NBP, he found out that illegal activities continued even after the December 2014 raid led by then Justice Secretary and incumbent Sen. Leila de Lima.

"Through my own intel buildup, I personally witnessed the extravagant lifestyle of inmates," said Valeroso, adding that he even saw inmates with "pistols tucked in their waistbands."

He also said gambling inside the NBP continued after the raid, and money involved "reached millions of pesos."

During one instance, Valeroso claimed seeing a billiard game involving "stacks upon stacks of P1,000 bill on the table" with players "carelessly throwing [the money] around."

"The drug trade is still alive inside medium security compound. When the [Philippine National Police-Special Action Force] conducted a raid, they found out that] the drug trade was simply transferred to the medium security compound where it is extremely convenient for drug lords to shell shabu," said Valeroso.

As part of the Duterte administration's anti-drug campaign, jail guards inside the NBP were replaced by PNP-SAF members.

During a PNP-SAF buy-bust operation last August 25, 2016, Valeroso said they confiscated 25 grams of shabu. Charges were filed against five inmates.

He added that jail guards at the medium security compound also facilitated the drug trade. Valeroso said the guards were called the "Innova Boys," in reference to the vehicles given to them by the drug lords.

Valeroso also identified the following "big-time yet discreet" drug lords inside the NBP: Ben Marcel alias "Ben Ulo," Willie Young, Robert Lee, Ang See, Willie Ang, and Sam Lee Chua.

"I firmly believe that [Chua] is in possession of P65 million cash a week before the December 2014 raid," said Valeroso.

"It is also not impossible that an amount more than 65 million pesos has gone missing," he added.

Valeroso said he had also tapped NBP inmate Nonilo Arile, who was also a "religious leader" inside the Bilibid, as his asset and "confidential informant" who tipped authorities about illegal activities inside the national penitentiary.

Just before Veloroso's testimony, Arile also testified at the House justice committee inquiry on the proliferation of drugs inside the national penitentiary. —KG, GMA News