MANILA – A second raid on the maximum security compound of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) was conducted on Friday by operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). This time, agents demolished “kubols” or quarters – most of which had been set-up in luxurious fashion – of convicted drug lords and robbery gang kingpins.
According to reports by radio station DZMM, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima ordered police commandos to conduct a thorough search of five kubols used by Arman Agojo, Vicente Sy, Eugene Chua and Benjamin Marcelo.
More contraband was found, including two air conditioning units hidden in the ceiling of Sy’s kubol.
De Lima also ordered a two-storey dwelling space of the high-profile prisoners to be stripped of its luxurious fittings and converted into a common area for inmates.
The justice chief reprimanded Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) staff and officials for their negligence and their failure to monitor the smuggling of contraband into the prison.
Operatives who conducted an initial raid on Monday seized illegal drugs, firearms, liquor, luxury items (such as a hot tub), a Playstation 4, a sex doll, hundreds of thousands in cash, expensive wristwatches, and other contraband from within the prison.
De Lima expressed her belief that the guards are in collusion with the inmates, and has issued “show cause” memos to Bilibid officials to explain how and why the contraband items were brought into and tolerated in the prison.
“They better have a good explanation, otherwise nanganganib na sila (otherwise, they will be in perilous position.),” she said.
Meanhwile, Senators Francis Escudero and Sergio Osmena III, as well as some members of the House of Representatives, have called for the removal from office of BuCor director Franklin Bucayu; on the premise of lying to cover up the situation, or incompetence for lack of knowledge about it.