3 Bilibid execs face raps over drug lord’s VIP treatment

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the filing of administrative charges against three officials of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) and seven others over the alleged VIP treatment of convicted drug lord and Sigue Sigue Sputnik gang commander Ricardo Camata.

In a resolution released yesterday, Secretary Leila de Lima has approved the findings of fact-finding committee led by Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III that NBP superintendent Fajardo Lansangan, hospital head Dr. Gloria Achazo-Garcia, escort unit head Superintendent Gabriel Magan, medical specialist Dr. Ma. Cecilia Villanueva and Prison Guards Aldrid Garino, Antonio Bangoy, Eugenio Sabado, Edgardo Gamboa, Ernesto Calla and Herald Duran were liable for the unauthorized confinement of Camata in a private hospital last June.

The DOJ chief specifically approved the filing of cases of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service against all 10 officials and personnel of the national penitentiary before the Office of the Ombudsman.

De Lima also ordered the preventive suspension of Lansangan, Garcia, Magan and Villanueva. The six jail guards, on the other hand, were reassigned to penal colonies in the provinces.

The case stemmed from Camata’s stay in a private hospital from May 28 to June 2 without approval from the DOJ. 

During the probe, a closed-circuit television video from the hospital showed that Camata was able to go in and out of his hospital room, use a mobile phone and accept visitors – including starlet Krista Miller.