BuCor can build prison inside geopark, says Remulla

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla yesterday defended the plan of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) to construct its headquarters within the Masungi Georeserve in Tanay, Rizal, saying the property belongs to the government.

In his radio program, Remulla said former president and now Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo awarded the 130 hectares of land within the geopark to the BuCor.

Remulla said the construction of the BuCor headquarters is in line with the plan of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to regionalize correctional facilities in the country.

The BuCor is an attached agency of the DOJ.

“It’s part of the overall plan of the Department of Justice na... alisin na itong big jails sa Muntinlupa at mag-regionalize na tayo... ng ating mga prisons... and correctional facilities,” Remulla said.

Asked why the BuCor wants to build its headquarters in the conservation park, Remulla said it is the only location available and “contiguous” for the bureau in Calabarzon.

“Exploratory yan. You cannot limit our options to think of what’s good for the agency... kami ang nag-iisip kung ano ang dapat na maging direksyon ng BuCor at justice system,” he said.

The Masungi Georeserve asked President Marcos and other government officials to intervene after around 20 BuCor personnel inspected the conservation site on Thursday.

BuCor chief Gregorio Catapang Jr. said the bureau remains the owner of the property unless a court nullifies its title.