16 cops at Bilibid under investigation

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is investigating 16 policemen for allegedly smuggling contraband for inmates at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

The cops are from district and Regional Mobile Force Company of NCRPO which forms part of the 551 cops fielded to help secure the premises of the national penitentiary.

NCRPO chief Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas said the contraband includes liquor, electronic gadgets, and tobacco products.

“They were ordered to

submit their respective counter affidavits until Wednesday of this week to shed light on the issue at hand,” said Sinas who declined to provide the names of the policemen.

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said they would endorse the filing charges against the 16 police officers.

“They are already under investigation. And we will be endorsing that folder to the Philippine National Police (PNP) so the accused police officers be charged with appropriate administrative case,” Maj. Wena Dalagan, BuCor spokesperson, told reporters in Filipino.

“Once we prove that they sneaked in contraband items to sell inside the NBP, they would be charged with grave misconduct. And based on our administrative machinery, they would be punished with dismissal of service on their first offense,” she added over DZMM interview Tuesday.

The deployment of policemen at the Bilibid was requested by Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gerald Bantag while prison guards undergo strict vetting process.

The vetting process is aimed at identifying prison guards who can be trusted to resume their duties amid allegations of massive corruption at the BuCor.

Sinas said the 16 cops are now under restricted custody.

Based on the report, the 16 policemen were caught bringing in tobacco, electronic gadgets, and tobacco products during inspection and frisking last week.

During the inspection, an officer was intercepted before entering the penitentiary with several tobacco products mixed with his food items and alcoholic beverage which he placed inside an iced tea bottle.

The seized items reportedly could be sold for at least P10,000.

But it is not immediately known if the seized items are for inmates or for personal consumption of the policemen.

“We will never tolerate this illegal activity; Discipline must prevail. This is saddening but we will not concede. This is just one of our continuing challenges. We will not relent on our reforms to cleanse our organization,” said Sinas.