NBP inmates surrender weapons, cell phones

Inmates at the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) have surrendered at least two handguns, a number of improvised shotguns and bolos as well a hundred cell phones to prison officials.

NBP superintendent Juanito Leopando said the "positive" gesture was a result of an agreement forged between prisoners and their so-called "council of elders" as a sign of peace.

Leopando noted that being one of the advisers at the maximum security compound, convicted Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez convinced the inmates to hand over their weapons to prevent violent incidents at the NBP. He said the weapons and the cell phones were turned over last Sunday.

"These include a caliber .38 revolver, caliber .22 revolver and more than a 100 cell phones. We also received 26 improvised shotguns and bolos," Leopando said.

He added that all of the cell phones surrendered to them were old models. "This means they have had these units with them for quite a while and that there have been no phones smuggled into the cells."

Earlier, shabu and marijuana were allegedly found inside Sanchez’s cell.

The Muntinlupa police filed a case against Sanchez, who is serving a life sentence for the rape-slay of University of the Philippines student Eileen Sarmenta.

The NBP official, however said, they are still investigating the incident and there is no proof yet that Sanchez was the actual owner of the drugs. – Rhodina Villanueva