BuCor confirms Bilibid corruption: Inmates have access to contraband, prostitution

MANILA, Philippines — Some Bureau of Corrections officials on Thursday confirmed the presence of corruption inside the New Bilibid Prison.

Asked if there’s corruption, BuCor legal chief Frederic Anthony Santos said: “Yes there is corruption.”

Santos said inmates could pay to have cellphone privileges.

Rafael Ragos, former BuCor officer-in-charge from November 2012 to March 2013, said high-profile inmates also have access to prostitutes.

Prostitutes are referred to as “tilapia” and are allowed to stay overnight inside the prison.

“Dancers, entertainers, after a while nagiging girlfriend, asawa (they become their girlfriend and eventually wife). P30,000 [is the rate] magdamag (for overnight stay),” Ragos cited.

Ragos said there’s also kidnap for ransom schemes where inmates provide police tips on who to kidnap for ransom.

Negotiation for the kidnap for ransom scheme total to P200,000 per victim. Ragos bared that most of the victims are rich Chinese nationals.

Meanwhile, the authorities are also allowed to gamble inside for P800,000 monthly. 

On Monday, NBP inmate Godfrey Gamboa also claimed inmates bribe guards to enjoy contrabands. 

WATCH: Witness says inmates bribe Bilibid guards to sneak in contrabands, use cellphones

— Rosette Adel