Under the Duterte administration, the Special Armed Forces (SAF) troopers were appointed as the new guards of the New Bilibid Prison. They took over the job starting July 20 and was commanded to secure the prison round-the-clock. Given their reputation and training, many came to expect that the Bilibid would finally be rid of drugs and other contrabands.
However, the latest raid, dubbed “Oplan Galugad,” on Thursday, August 25, at 4:10 p.m., yielded illegal drugs and other smuggled prohibited items, as confirmed by the Philippine National Police – National Capital Region Police Office.
Authorities found out about this after the Northern Police District (NPD) tried to buy drugs through a buy-bust operation in the medium security compound and were able to get some from five inmates.
The raid produced an undetermined quantity of what could be methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu), several mobile phones with chargers, bladed weapons and sharp objects, television sets, drug paraphernalia, money in various denominations, wrist watches, rice cookers, karaoke machine, cigarettes and lighters, and electric fans, as reported by the Inquirer.
The raid reportedly wrapped up after three hours.
The five inmates who were caught selling drugs were transferred to the maximum security compound while the confiscated contrabands were turned over to the NPD.
[ads1]
Why do Bilibid raids still yield drugs, a netizen’s question to Duterte
A vocal Facebook user, Miyako Izabel, asked President Rodrigo Duterte, “Ano ba ito?”
She noted how Duterte kept a tirade against Senator Leila de Lima because of her alleged failure to get rid of drugs and smuggling of contrabands into the compound, but why there is still illegal drug trade in the penitentiary.
“Special Action Force na ang nagbabantay sa mga nakakulong, wala na rin si Senadora Leila de Lima sa Department of Justice, at kayo na po ang presidente. Bakit may droga pa rin sa Bilibid? Bakit may nakakapasok pa ring droga sa mga kulungan?” she said.
Izabel said that this could be a sign that no matter what the government does, drugs will still be available inside the prison.
“Baka naman po isang palatandaan yan na kahit ano pang gagawin niyo, talagang hindi nga mawawala ang droga sa Bilibid,” she added.
She also developed a theory on why the strict security did not deter the inmates from smuggling illegal items in and gave a suggestion on what to do with those serving time in prison.
“Payo ko lang naman po ito. May buong araw at gabi ang mga preso para pag-isipan kung paano sila magpuslit, gumawa, magtago, magbenta o humithit ng droga. Bakanteng oras ang kanilang sandata. Panahon na siguro na maging busy ang mga ‘yan at ilagay sa open labor prison kung saan puwede silang kumita at maghanap-buhay,” Izabel said.
Noting Duterte’s recent revelations about de Lima’s lovelife, Izabel said that Duterte should focus on solving the issues in Bilibid instead.
“’Yong ideya niyong “island prison” ay maganda po. Matagal na akong nagsulat tungkol diyan bago mo pa man nabanggit ang naturang proyekto. ‘Yan po ang dapat pag-usapan huwag na ang mga tsismis na puro kacheapan,” she said.
“Bakit nga ba may droga sa isang closed environment katulad ng bilangguan? Bakit may mga presong gumagamit pa rin ng droga sa loob? Isang senyales rin ba ito na hindi nga napigilan o nawakasan sa maliit na loob, sa malawak na labas pa kaya?” she added.
Sources: (newsinfo.inquirer.net, facebook.com)
[ads3]
