4 more Bilibid execs sacked

MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Leila de Lima ordered the relief of four more officials of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa after another inspection yesterday yielded more contraband at the national penitentiary. 

Danilo Dador, head of the maximum security compound; Lucio Guevarra, commander of guards of NBP maximum security compound; Ricardo Sespene, head of the NBP special patrol unit; and Roberto Mandap, head of the inmates visitation services unit were removed from their posts. 

De Lima made the decision after inspecting eight boxes containing various contraband surrendered by inmates during the Christmas break upon her ultimatum. 

The boxes contained firearms, 341 cell phones, improvised deadly weapons and drug paraphernalia. 

De Lima said she was not satisfied with the items surrendered by inmates. 

“I have a gut feel that the gangs still have in their possession several weapons and illegal drugs and that what they surrendered are the weapons that they can no longer use,” she said in an interview.

The justice chief also issued Department Order 943 creating a Bureau of Corrections cleanup oversight team, which will be given three to four months to do the job.

Earlier this month, De Lima ordered the relief of NBP head Superintendent Robert Rabo; his deputy, Superintendent Celso Bravo; and Davao Penal Colony head Denario Tesoro due to illegal drugs and other contraband seized in earlier raids.

Rabo was replaced by Superintendent Richard Schwarzkopf Jr. and Bravo was replaced by Superintendent Rachel Ruello, concurrent head of Women’s Correctional, while Tesoro was replaced by Superintendent Geraldo Padilla.  

Rob gang chief’s campaign contributions

Meanwhile, controversial robbery gang leader Herbert Colangco’s vast influence at the NBP may be due to his strong connections to some local politicians, sources said yesterday.

In a report submitted to the Palace, sources alleged Colangco gained control over the NBP’s maximum security compound because of his political connections, which reportedly solidified in the 2013 elections when he contributed to the campaigns of some congressional and local candidates.

The politicians reportedly are members of well-entrenched families in Surigao del Sur; Surigao del Norte; Zamboanga del Norte; Ilocos Sur, Misamis Occidental; Ormoc City; Batangas; Compostela Valley and Muntinlupa, sources said.

An insider also tipped authorities that Colangco reportedly provided protection for convicted Chinese drug lords, who continued their business even in prison.

“He was able to show control over the maximum security compound, where jail guards cannot even enter his area,” a source said, adding that Colangco’s area had its own closed-circuit television system to monitor activities outside his luxury kubol or prison hut.