NCRPO joins demolition in Bilibid

MANILA, Philippines — Operatives of the National Capital Region Police Office took part in the demolition of makeshift huts at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP)’s maximum security compound on Friday, the NCRPO reported yesterday.

Metro Manila police chief Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. said the NCRPO and Philippine Coast Guard explosives ordnance disposal and K9 teams cleared the whole East Quadrant of the compound for possible explosives before dismantling the makeshift structures.

Police also deployed six special weapons and tactics personnel and four sniper teams.

Danao said the operation was made in coordination with Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag.

At least 500 bladed weapons and other contraband were recovered during the clearing operation.

Meanwhile, the BuCor has designated Lt. Col. Jayferson Bon-as as superintendent of the maximum security compound, replacing Lt. Col. Roy Villasi.

Villasi was named acting superintendent of the maximum security compound following the escape of four inmates from the NBP on Jan. 17.

Bon-as was the previous chief of the BuCor’s firefighter unit and acting superintendent of the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro.

The escapees were Drakilou Falcon, Pacifico Adlawan, Arwin Bio and Chris Ablas.

Police have yet to recapture Falcon and Ablas. Adlawan and Bio were reportedly killed during manhunt operations.  – Ralph Edwin Villanueva