16 cops face probe for NBP contrabands
MANILA -- The acting chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas on Tuesday ordered to investigate the 16 police officers deployed inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City after they were caught allegedly trying to slip contraband in and out of the national penitentiary.
Sinas refused to name the police officers, who have reported to the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division (RIDMD) of NCRPO. They are reassigned to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit while an investigation is ongoing.
He said the cops have been ordered to submit their respective counteraffidavits until Wednesday (October 23) to shed light on the issue.
“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,” Sinas said.
“Let us also observe their rights to be investigated. Huwag natin agad silang ikondena. Bigyan natin sila ng chancena magpaliwanag (Let us not condemn them. Give them a chance to explain themselves),” he said.
The 16 are among the 551 cops from the NCRPO Regional Mobile Force Company, who have been deployed to secure the premises of NBP’s maxi
mum security compound, following the request of newlydesignated Bureau of Corrections (Bucor) director Gerald Bantag amid corruption issues in the penitentiary.
Based on reports, the said NCRPO uniformed personnel were caught during inspection and frisking where contraband was found on their possession which includes liquor, electronic gadgets, and tobacco.
Seized contraband items were placed under the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) custody for proper disposition.
Sinas said the RDIMD is expected to issue a final evaluation of the case on Friday (October 25).
Meanwhile, Sinas said he plans to replace the NCRPO personnel fielded at the NBP every other month to prevent being corrupted by inmates.
The NCRPO sent a total of 551 augmentation personnel to the NBP to secure the detention facility as Bantag stripped all the prison guards of duty due to corruption issues. (PNA)