Conjugal visits allowed in Bilibid today

MANILA, Philippines - Inmates at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa can spend Valentine’s Day with their spouses today.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said yesterday she has allowed conjugal visits after restoring the visitation privilege of inmates following a grenade explosion at the national penitentiary on Jan. 8.

“Since it’s Valentine’s Day, we are allowing conjugal visit although subject to certain restrictions. Only immediate family members will be allowed to visit the inmates for limited hours,” De Lima said.

The 20 high-value inmates who were isolated at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) detention center are likewise entitled to an additional visitation day.

De Lima said she has granted the inmates’ request to allow their loved ones to visit them on Valentine’s Day.

Relatives of the inmates had been allowed to visit them only on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Starting today, the families of the convicts can visit them even on Saturday. Visitation hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

De Lima said she approved the additional visitation day upon the recommendation of the NBI and Bureau of Corrections officials.

High-profile inmates detained at the NBI are Noel Martinez, Eugene Chua, Chua Sam Li, Vincent Sy, George Sy, Joel Capones, Herbert Colangco, Peter Co, Amin Imam Boratong, Clarence Dongail, Tom Chua, Rommel Capoines, Jojo Baligad, Willy Chua, Michael Ong, Jacky King Sy, Willy Sy and Herman Agojo. 

Some of them have questioned before the courts their transfer to the NBI.