NBP requires visitors to have photos taken

MANILA, Philippines – The New Bilibid Prison (NBP) is now requiring visitors of inmates to have their photographs taken before entering the state penitentiary, an official said yesterday.

NBP superintendent Richard Schwartzkopf said the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) ordered the new security measure implemented starting on Dec. 24. He said the measure is meant to stop the smuggling of contraband and other security breaches.

Once the visitor’s digital photo is taken, it is placed in a database, he said.

The NBP recently intensified its campaign against the smuggling of contraband into the prison through a series of raids on inmates’ cells under its “Oplan Galugad.”

BuCor personnel have confiscated bladed weapons, mobile phones, small electric appliances, electronic gadgets, sex toys, sex enhancement pills, firearms and ammunition from inmates cells.

They have also reportedly discovered two swimming pools and a lounge hidden on the rooftop of one of the dormitories.

Schwartzkopf has denied this, saying the pools were just unused water reservoirs.