The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) assured Wednesday that the isolation area it set up inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients is secure and safe for both residents and inmates.
“Ito naman po ay very secure, far from the residents and far from the prison cells,” said BuCor spokespersons Gabrielle Chaglag said during an interview over CNN Philippines.
The BuCor made the assurance after Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi protested last Tuesday’s transfer to the NBP of 18 prisoners of the Correctional Institute for Women (CIW) who were found positive for COVID-19.
Fresnedi said the transfer of CIW prisoners was done without prior notice.
Chaglag, however, explained that there was a need to immediately decide to transfer the 18 prisoners to the isolation area in Bilibid.
“The decision has to be made right away but we have communicated ito to the Muntinlupa City government and we have reached out to them and we have talked to them yesterday,” he said.
Chaclag said the BuCor will again be meeting with the local government today “to ensure partnership and collaboration in the future.”
“’Yun pong 18 PDL (Persons Deprived of Liberty) from ICW na na-transfer namin dito sa National Bilibid Prison ay mostly don’t have any symptoms, they are asymptomatic. But some of them, about three or four, have mild symptoms,” he noted.
Chaglag said the isolation area, which was designated weeks ago, has a 12-meter high concrete wall and can accommodate 300 COVID-19 patients.
The BuCor said the NBP site for the COVID-19 positive prisoners “is an ideal isolation and recovery area for PDL patients for its unique set up which is easy to manage without compromising the security of the larger PDL community and safety of everyone.”
“Rest assured that residents of NBP reservation and neighboring communities are safe and far from this facility,” BuCor added.
The city’s confirmed COVID-19 cases rose to 126 as of April 21 from 121 on April 20 including 14 recovered cases and 17 deaths. (Jonathan Hicap & Jeffrey Damicog)
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