[Video Courtesy: Senate PRIB]
At the Senate hearing on the release of heinous crime convicts via GCTA, Sen. Lacson bared how prohibited items from mobile phones to illegal drugs to firearms are being used inside the maximum security area in the New Bilibid Prison. “Is this the kind of strictness in the policy of containing the entry or preventing the entry of contraband, especially mobile phones? There are other prisoners who openly post on Facebook. Ang iba high-profile cases.”
Lacson also questioned the inconsistencies in the statements of at least one BuCor official during the hearing.
Related:
At the Hearing on the Release of Heinous Crime Convicts via GCTA (Sept. 2)
#PingSays: Sec. Panelo’s ‘Referral’ for ex-Mayor Sanchez; Sanchez Release and GCTA Issue (Sept. 3)
‘Bakit Kailangan Madaliin?’ BuCor Execs Grilled over Hurry to Release ‘Special’ Convicts (Sept. 5)
‘TALAMAK ANG KORAPSYON!’ 7 Major Moneymaking Schemes at Bilibid Bared (Sept. 12)
QUOTES and NOTES:
CELL PHONES, DRUGS, and FIREARMS in BILIBID:
Sen. Lacson revealed that despite the BuCor officials’ claim they are “strict” in prohibiting contraband like mobile phones, drugs and firearms, such items are used freely by convicts even in the maximum security area.
Last August, a raid in the maximum security area yielded four mobile phones, one of which belonged to Raymond Dominguez, suspected leader of a car theft syndicate who was jailed for killing Venson Evangelista, the son of VACC President Arsenio “Boy” Evangelista.
“Sinabi kasi nila, No. 1 contraband ang mobile phones. Yet PDLs or those detained in max security facility use their mobile phones. Sinabi ko openly kasi nagpo-post sa Facebook. Wala nang tinatago kasi so blatantly they are announcing to the whole world, because Facebook is not only within limits of Philippine jurisdiction.”
“Is this the kind of strictness in the policy of containing the entry or preventing the entry of contraband, especially mobile phones? There are other prisoners who openly post on Facebook. Ang iba high-profile cases… A picture paints a thousand words.”
On those using phones and other forbidden gadgets despite BuCor rules: “Hubris. They are so confident (na) walang mangyayari sa kanila… These would indicate overconfidence, that they are protected inside. And no matter what they do they are protected. Otherwise, itatago mo ang cell phone mo. Pero mag-post ka sa Facebook, alam mo ang Facebook, friends of friends maski sino pwede makakita.”
“Mobile phones to illegal drugs to firearms. (May) nabaril sa loob ng facility ng Muntinlupa.”
Sen. Lacson also recalled he was told by then SAF chief Benjamin Magalong that drug lords can still control transactions even from inside NBP by using mobile phones. “And I heard gumagastos tayo sa jammer. Meron sila, walang katapusan ang technology. Pag meron kang scrambler meron kang jammer. Meron namang descrambler. Padami ng pera ang labanan.”
On justice not being served even after conviction: “Nanalo kayo sa korte, convicted na nga, yet they live like kings in the facilities. Justice has not been rendered. After difficulties in having these suspects convicted, pagdating sa Muntinlupa masarap pa rin ang buhay.”
“The system does not create corruption. It’s people who create corruption. Nariyan sa system mahirap awatin. And we receive reports maraming nagsha-shabu sa detention facilities. Nagja-jamming.”
BUCOR OFFICIAL CAUGHT ‘LYING’:
At the hearing, Sen. Lacson also caught BuCor official Ramoncito Roque in a lie, when he asked him if he knew where the house of witness Yolanda Camilon is. When Roque answered yes, Lacson pointed out Roque had said the opposite during the Sept. 5 hearing. He also questioned Roque’s claim he accepted money from Camilon with the intention of returning it. “Kung ang intention mo isauli, bakit mo tinanggap?”
“We are being lied to at least once. We’re being lied to by our resource persons.”
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