New Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director Benjamin Delos Santos vowed to eradicate drugs, crime and corruption at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City as a new battalion of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) took over the operations of the facility yesterday.
Delos Santos, a retired PNP chief superintendent, who assumed office, said his focus is on eradicating drugs, crime and corruption based on the mantra of President Rodrigo Duterte and Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II.
“I will just be following the mantra of the President and the secretary of justice: get rid of crime, corruption and drugs,” said Delos Santos, adding he will do whatever is necessary” in reforming BuCor.
He said he is working to immediately implement Republic Act 10575 or the Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013 that will increase the salaries of BuCor personnel and modernize the facilities of the national penitentiary.
During the turnover ceremony at the NBP, PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa told the 410 SAF members who will supervise the security of NBP not to be corrupted by prisoners.
The first group of SAF took over the operations of the NBP last July. During their stay, they confiscated 2,625 bladed and pointed weapons, 63 firearms, 27 explosives, 76 grams of shabu, 400 grams of marijuana and P3.36 million in cash, according to the PNP.
Dela Rosa said the problem of illegal drug trade still exists in the NBP.
“Di pa natin masiguro na zero na talaga. But we are leaning towards that. Pawala na nang pawala pero ganun pa rin.
Siguro mga old stock nila yan. But when you say may bago bang nakapasok, we can really say na mahihirapan silang magpasok,” he said. (Jonathan Hicap)