Tempo

Another raid, another haul

- (Jonathan M. Hicap)

More contraband­s were seized as the Bureau of Correction­s conducted another raid on dormitorie­s at the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City yesterday.

More contraband­s were seized as the Bureau of Correction­s conducted another raid on dormitorie­s at the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City yesterday.

Among those raided was the room of former Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez. Found in the room of Sanchez were a LED TV, aircon, and a voltage regulator. Sanchez is serving seven life sentences at the NBP for the murders of University of the Philippine­s-Los Baños students Eileen Sarmenta and Allan Gomez in 1993.

BuCor Director Ricardo Rainier Cruz III and Supt. Richard Schwarzkop­f Jr. of the NBP led the inspection at about 7:30 a.m. on Buildings 3, 8, and 13, where the Sputnik Gang, Batang Cebu, Happy Go Lucky, and Genuine Ilocano Gang are staying. They were accompanie­d by about 300 members of the NBP custodial force.

They inspected rooms in the dormitorie­s, including ceilings, cabinets, and beds. Prisoners waited outside the dormitorie­s while the inspection was conducted.

The raid yielded various contraband­s such as guns, bladed weapons, LED TVs, airconditi­oners, DVD players, cell phones, transforme­rs, walkie-talkies, steel bars, and jewelry, including watches and rings.

Cruz said he was surprised that the raid yielded a smaller number of contraband compared to the massive haul from the raid last November 4.

“Medyo na-suprise ako kasi kakaunti. Ini-expect ko mas marami,” he said.

Sanchez said that he’s fine although he is suffering from illnesses. “OK naman dito, marami lang akong sakit,” he said, adding that he’s been in prison for 23 years.

Sanchez said he’s suffering from chronic renal failure, heart problem, diabetes, and skin asthma.

Cruz vowed to conduct more raids to stamp out contraband­s at the NBP. He said the confiscate­d guns are used as evidence in filing cases against prisoners and are stored in the NBP armory.

 ?? (Jonathan M. Hicap) ?? BUREAU of Correction­s Director Ricardo Rainier Cruz III inspects a dormitory at the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City yesterday. Among those raided was that of former Mayor Antonio Sanchez (inset).
(Jonathan M. Hicap) BUREAU of Correction­s Director Ricardo Rainier Cruz III inspects a dormitory at the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City yesterday. Among those raided was that of former Mayor Antonio Sanchez (inset).

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