MINDORO PENAL FARM ALERTED OVER PDLS’ PLANNED PROTEST

High-profile persons deprived of liberty (PDLS), who had been transferred to the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm (SPPF) in Occidental Mindoro, were reported to be planning a protest rally to demand their return to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.

The Bureau of Corrections (Bucor) had said that hundreds of NBP’S PDLS, most of them convicted of charges involving illegal drugs, had been transferred to SPPF from NBP not only to decongest the latter’s facility but also to prevent their continued drugs trade through cellular telephones and other gadgets, and in connivance with prison guards.

“In Sablayan, there is no telecommunications signal so these drug lords cannot communicate and continue their business outside of their cell, but because they are innovative they are bribing their guards to smuggle in satellite phones,” Bucor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. said.

“Yung iba sa kanila dahil talagang hirap makalusot, ang ginagawa isusulat ‘yung kanyang transaksyon sa isang papel kukutsabahin ‘yung guards para kunan ng picture ‘yung nakasulat sa papel para maisagawa ‘yung transaksyon,” Catapang said.

Since receiving the information on the planned rally, Catapang said he has alerted the SPPF and ordered its officials to be vigilant.

“That is the reason why I ordered C/supt. Ruben Veneracion of SPPF to always be on the lookout and to rotate his personnel guarding the PDLS to avoid familiarity since there were reports reaching us that since the drug lords are having a hard time in Sablayan, they are planning to hold a protest rally aside from gathering signatures among PDLS to petition that they be brought back in Manila for obvious reason,” he stressed.

Catapang said Bucor has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with other government agencies for the formation of an inter-agency collaborative group aimed at combating illegal drugs.

Catapang reiterated his determination to cleanse and reform the bureau despite resistance from a number of Bucor personnel who have been affected financially.

He expressed hopes that these personnel will come to their senses and help him instead.

WORKERS in a printing shop in Quiapo, Manila prepare the tarpaulins of candidates running in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). As the campaign period begins today, Oct. 19, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reminds the candidates to adhere to the campaign rules. (Arnold Quizol)