Drug lords at Bilibid taken to ‘undisclosed’ facility

Published December 15, 2014 11:04am

(Updated 1:42 p.m.) At least 20 drug convicts at the New Bilibid Prison have been ordered transferred to an "undisclosed holding facility," amid reports that they managed to continue their drug-related transactions despite being incarcerated in the NBP's Maximum Security Compound.

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima on Monday led a surprise inspection of the penitentiary and discovered in some holding areas prohibited amenities such as laptop computers, Wi-Fi routers, huge speakers, LCD television, a keyboard and even a drum set.

In a live report on News To Go, GMA News' John Consulta said Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has ordered the transfer of the drug lords to an "undisclosed holding facility."

De Lima said separating the drug lords from other inmates was a "concrete step" they were taking to stop drug-related activities inside prison, the report said.

Authorities did not give out the names of the drug lords, and were preparing for the said transfer, while search operations continue, it added.

In his previous report on News TV Live, Consulta said there were 19 drug lords pending transfer. The number went up to 20 by the time he reported for News To Go.

Meanwhile, a separate report from Mao dela Cruz of radio dzBB said that as of this posting, four trucks of the Bureau of Corrections are waiting outside the New Bilibid Prison for the drug lords' transfer:

4 trucks ng BuCor na inaasahang maglilipat sa hindi bababa sa 15 convicts sa ibang piitan. | via Mao dela Cruz @dzbb pic.twitter.com/3iWy8V0M3F

— GMA News (@gmanews) December 15, 2014

The surprise inspection on Monday, led by De Lima, was conducted by about 100 agents from the National Bureau of Investigation, including armed officers from the Special Action Force.

It was conducted following reports that drug lords incarcerated in the penitentiary still managed to hold drug transactions inside prison.

Transferred

In her live report on Balitanghali, GMA News' Sherrie Ann Torres said authorities started bringing the convicts one by one to the designated vehicles at past 10 a.m.

De Lima ordered the transfer as part of ridding the NBP of drug trade and other illegal activities . She gave authorities until Saturday to dismantle the four "extravagant" holding areas there.

The drug convicts will only be brought back there once the said operation is done, the report said.

The Justice secretary assured that the convicts will be taken care of at their "secured" location, where authorities will keep a close eye on them.

All material possessions they had in prison have been taken from them, leaving on "basic needs" placed in a "simple" bag, the report added.

During the transfer, people flocked in front of the NBP building, most of them relatives of the convicts awaiting news.

Meanwhile, some vendors inside the facility said they were saddened by the transfer, adding that the convicts were their frequent customers, and even lent them money whenever they found themselves short. —Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/KG/NB, GMA News

Tags: druglordoperatingfromjail, newbilibidprison