NCRPO deploys 368 cops in Bilibid

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 368 police officers were deployed yesterday at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City to secure the maximum security compound amid an ongoing purge of corrupt jail guards and to prevent drug convicts from continuing their illegal trade in the NBP.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas said the NBP would be placed under the full operational control of Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director Gerard Bantag to prevent a repeat of the case of 18 policemen accused of sneaking contraband into Bilibid last month.

Sinas said operatives of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) would secure the maximum security facility, where high-value drug lords and heads of criminal rings are being held.

The RMFB personnel replaced the 551 policemen earlier deployed at the NBP.

Four of the 18 police officers allegedly responsible for slipping cell phones, tobacco and alcohol into the NBP are undergoing summary dismissal proceedings, according to Sinas.

He said 14 others have been cleared of the charges and reinstated in their respective units.

During send-off rites yesterday at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig, Sinas ordered the policemen to wear proper uniforms prescribed by the Philippine National Police.

The police officers are also prohibited from carrying electronic gadgets and wearing jewelry while on duty from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sinas directed the RMFB personnel to act in accordance with the BuCor’s policy, adding that they would be under the supervision of Bantag while inside the NBP premises.

The NCRPO chief also ordered the policemen not to talk to the inmates, especially drug lords and heads of criminal rings.

“We should work closely with the BuCor to improve the police image in the eyes of the public,” he said.

Bantag, who is purging BuCor of corrupt prison guards, sought the help of Sinas and PNP directorial staff chief Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar to augment the security force in Bilibid.

With the approval of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, Eleazar has fielded 551 policemen to the NBP.

Sinas pulled out the police officers after 18 of them were accused of sneaking banned items into the national penitentiary.