BuCor seizes P300,000 from 6 guards involved in ‘money-handling’ scheme

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) confiscated over P300,000 in cash handed to jail guards and personnel for safe keeping by persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), BuCor Officer-In-Charge Gregorio Catapang Jr. said Monday.

Catapang said six BuCor jail guards were found in possession of the cash.

“Nagpunta nga kami sa kulungan. Na-discover namin ang daming pera. Tinatago sa locker ng mga BuCor, yung mga gwardya o empleyado. Pera ng PDL na pinapatago sa gwardya,” he said in an interview.

(When we went to the prison, we saw that there was a lot of cash. It was kept by guards and employees inside the lockers in BuCor. The cash was from inmates who had the guards keep it for them.)

The BuCor OIC said they would file charges against the jail guards.

"Oo, kakasuhan namin kasi kailangan mag-sample na," he said. "Eh pasensya na po, discharged from the service, summary dismissal."

(Yes, they will be charged because we need to make an example of them. I'm sorry, but the penalty is discharged from the service, summary dismissal.)

Another kind of illegal activity guards were running in jail was to take a 10%-12% cut from the money families electronically sent to the PDLs.

"Kasi wala silang cellphone. Ipapasa sa [mobile wallet ng] gwardya na may cellphone, ipapasa yung [mobile wallet]. Pag ibibigay yun, yung P1,000 daw,  kasi nakausap ko yung mga nasa loob, 'Sir pwede ba pababaan lang kasi ang sabi nila yung P1,000 ang kinakaltas sa amin P100," said Catapang.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, in a separate ambush interview, said the cut guards took from money sent to PDLs could be as high as 20%.

“‘Yung mga kamag-anak na nagpapadala ng pera dito sa loob, kinakaltasan ng 12% to 20%," said Remulla.

The Justice secretary also alleged there were similar schemes in other facilities and other government agencies.

“Yung corruption sa loob, lalo na sa PDLs, talagang sobra. We really have to address this… At first glance pagpasok nila, abusado kaagad. Pagkatapos nila mahuli, inaabuso na kaagad ang mga PDL natin,” he added.

(The corruption inside, especially for PDLs, is really too much. We really have to address this… At first glance, the moment they enter, they are already being abused. After they are arrested, our PDLs are already being abused.) — DVM/KG, GMA Integrated News