BuCor: Gang leaders have ‘quota’ system

The Bureau of Corrections on Wednesday revealed that gang leaders or commanders of persons deprived of liberty were imposed with a "quota" system by an official from the Corrections agency for the sale of illegal items or contrabands inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

BuCor officer-in-charge Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. disclosed that the information was relayed to him by PDLs who claimed that the alleged smuggling of contrabands inside NBP is allegedly controlled by BuCor Deputy Security Officer Ricardo S. Zulueta.

Zulueta's group allegedly has been bringing in items that PDLs need and they slip in illegal items like mobile phones, cigarettes, tobacco and liquors.

"Believe it or not a bottle of a black label was being sold between P15,000 to P20,000," said Catapang.

To recall, a total of 7,515 beer in cans were seized inside the NBP in November, which were being sold for P1,000 each to inmates. He also said that cigarettes were also being sold for P1,500 per pack and P15,000 per ream.

Catapang also said that he discovered that a high-profile inmate has been allegedly overstaying at the Bilibid's Reception and Diagnostic Center instead of being detained with the rest of the general prison population.

However, Catapang did not identify the "overstaying" PDL at RDC but clarified that the said PDL has been transferred to where he should be.

The BuCor chief said those who have just been meted out a prison term are initially taken to the RDC.

Catapang also said that at least 24 BuCor personnel are under investigation for various violations as he stressed that even if they are lawyers or accountants, he will set them as an example, as he told the personnel who are under investigation.

He added that if found guilty of violations of the laws and BuCor rules and regulations, he will seek the disbarment of lawyers and cancellation of the licenses of accountants.