VACC calls for martial rule inside Bilibid

The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) is calling for the full implementation of Martial Law inside the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) amid what it describes as apparent anarchy inside the detention facility for convicted criminals.

VACC Founding Chairman and President Dante Jimenez said the various reform programs implemented inside the NBP, including the appointment of retired generals with the reputation of being tough, proved to be ineffective as revealed by the

unabated cycle of blatant disregard of the rule of law inside — from smuggling of illegal drugs, guns and gadgets to the killing of prisoners.

“All the approaches to discipline the prisoners inside undoubtedly failed. It is high time for the government to show its full might in restoring order and sanity inside the NBP,” Jimenez told the Manila Bulletin in an interview.

By full government might, Jimenez said their recommendation is a full military takeover of the NBP which he said, would ensure strict implementation of the rules and regulations that are supposedly governing the prisoners.

Soldiers are known to be tough, nononsense and goal-oriented and their deployment in the NBP, according to Jimenez, is somehow a guarantee that would compel all prisoners to behave.

“We have to remove all the jail guards, jail warden and the rest of the NBP officials because apparently, they are no longer respected and we believe that they are already in cahoots with the prisoners because it is impossible to smuggle firearms, illegal drugs and other gadgets without them knowing it,” said Jimenez.

Jimenez explained that the soft stance of the government in the NBP, especially against the VIPs or the Very Important Prisoners, did not have any positive change as manifested by the fact that contrabands continue to be confiscated inside despite the supposed shakedown of the NBP that was initiated by then Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

It was recalled that de Lima herself led the raids inside the maximum security detention facility inside the NBP wherein it was found out that detained big-time drug traffickers are living a good life inside, with air-conditioned rooms that also house a recording studio.

At least 19 convicted drug lords were even transferred to a detention facility at the NBI but they still have access to gadgets that include smartphones with internet capability.

The drone

The latest unacceptable and glaring proof of anarchy inside, according to Jimenez, is the confiscation of a drone inside the NBP.

“This means that these prisoners knew what is going on inside because drones as we all know is used for spying,” said Jimenez.

“But the million-peso question here is: ‘How the hell did they smuggle a drone inside?” the VACC chairman stressed.

The worst part, Jimenez said , is that prisoners apparently operated the drone inside without the NBP officials knowing it—if indeed they really do not know that there was a drone inside.

Killings The confiscation of the drone and the various firearms inside the NBP came as an offshoot of the killing of Commando Group leader Charlie Quidato who was convicted for the killing of Masbate City Mayor Moises Espino in 2001.

Aside from the drone, seized were 12 handguns and various ammunition, a grenade, knives, half a kilo of gold jewelry and bank accounts.

Also confiscated was an alleged ledger of the illegal drugs transactions inside the NBP.

Jimenez said the killing of Quidato and the eventual confiscation of contrabands inside the NBP is but a glaring proof that the prisoners have their own government inside.

“This is not the first time that such a killing occurred inside. We should also remember that there was an instance that one gang leader had brandished his gun after knowing that he would be transferred to another detention facility,” said Jimenez.

Lame duck president

Jimenez said they are also calling for President Aquino to step down, adding that the brazen disregard of the rule of law inside the NBP only means that the Chief Executive has become a lame duck President.

“He should step down and concentrate instead on campaigning for his candidates,” said Jimenez.