Drugs, cash, appliances found in drug lords’ den inside NBP. Members of the PNP Special Action Force haul away three safes seized from inside a kubol of a drug lord inside the New Bilibid Prison maximum compound in Muntinlupa City on Monday, December 15. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, along with a company of fully-armed SAF, made a surprise inspection of the jail facility. John Consulta
The surprise inspection at the New Bilibid Prisons on Monday was meant to help the government’s cause against the “significant” contribution of convicted and incarcerated drug traffickers to the trade of narcotics at large.
“Ang greater reason [why we did this] is that para ma-completely incapacitate sila from further transacting sa drugs,” De Lima said in an interview over GMA News TV’s Baltanghali.
“[A] significant portion ng narcotics industry sa Philippines ay nate-trace sa mga inmates sa loob,” she added.
The operation was about two to three months in the making, she said.
Surprising finds
Authorities found kilos of shabu and other drug paraphernalia during the raid, along with a list of what authorities believe to be drug transactions that happened within prison.
But the inspection further yielded surprising finds, including items and facilities that are said to be used only in luxury condominiums.
In his reports, GMA News’ John Consulta said that among the items discovered during the inspection were a 48-inch flat TV, split-type aircondition units, a home theater, LCD projectors, and even a jacuzzi.
Even when communication is forbidden at the maximum facility, authorities, led by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, also found cellphones, as well as router and WiFi devices.
Some of the drug convicts staying at the “extravagant” units also owned luxury items—from signature eyeglasses to clothes and shoes.
Footage from Consulta’s reports showed a shelf of Ray-Ban sunglasses, as well as a small Louis Vuitton case that contained money.
Reports said authorities found nearly P2 million in cash in the units, as well as expensive items like Rolex watches.
Also discovered during the inspection were kilos of shabu and other drug paraphernalia, along with a list of what authorities believed to be transactions that happened within prison.
De Lima noted that firearms, such as pistols, were also found in one of the units.
Convicts transferred
Results of the inspection will eventually lead to more charges against the convicts, made up of Chinese nationals, as well as Filipinos, De Lima said.
She added that some of the 20 convicts in question were jailed for violating the anti-drug law, while others were convicted for other cases, and eventually engaged in the drug trade.
De Lima said separating them from other inmates was a “concrete step” they were taking to stop drug-related activities in prison.
The convicts were taken to their temporary facility with only their “basic needs” placed inside a “simple” bag.
‘Situation very ugly’
The Justice Secretary said officers and personnel who will be found responsible will also face charges, but refused to disclose specific actions they will be taking because she wants to see the full report from the inspection.
“We’ll be declaring that in due time. Ayoko na munang sabihin what’s in my mind at kung anong magiging action ko in my level, anong pwede kong i-recommend sa Pangulo, kasi gusto ko munang makuha ‘yung full report. Partial lang yung nakita ko with my own eyes, apat na kubol. Gusto kong makita yung full inventory ng mga na-confiscate,” she said.
