The Bureau of Corrections has denied allegations that there is a humanitarian crisis and a lockdown at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.
“Not true po as a matter of fact may dialogue tayo na isinagawa with the dalaw representatives,” Major Wena Dalagan, BuCor spokesperson, said.
The Department of Justice, mother agency of the BuCor, also denied allegations that there is a security lockdown at the Maximum Security Compound of the NBP.
“As to the lockdown, this is also not true,” the BuCor said. “What is true is that BuCor suspended privilege of visitation but for safety reasons since they are conducting demolitions.”
The Justice department assured that the BuCor would “soon lift the suspension and they are in fact preparing for the improved system to be used when they re-allow visitations.”
Members of Kapatid-Families and Friends of Political Prisoners have called on the BuCor to prove that there is no humanitarian crisis, lift the lockdown at the national penitentiary, and allow them to restore their right to visit ailing relatives.
The group also said that the BuCor “cannot simply dismiss the alarm raised by the families of prisoners because of news reports of deaths due to dehydration, lack of electricity, health care services, and food and clean drinking water.”
At least seven inmates have reportedly died inside the NBP in a span of four days early this month.
However, the BuCor reportedly said that “the reports are exaggerated.”
“There were inmates who died not really because of dehydration but of lack of medical attention,” BuCor said.
“(BuCor Director General Gerald) Bantag already verified with the hospital and the doctors denied it. In fact, they have lots of supplies available, including dextrose and meds,” it added. (Joseph Pedrajas)
