THE Bureau of Corrections yesterday inked an agreement with the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to synchronize their anti-illegal drug efforts, particularly in ridding the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) and other prison and penal colonies in the country of illegal drugs.
The agreement, according to BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr., will pave the way for the creation of an Inter-Agency Collaborative Group (IACG) against drug trafficking in correctional and prison facilities and penal farms of the agency.
Catapang said there is a need for a coordinated move to stamp out illegal drug trade in penal colonies.
He said that despite their efforts, the BuCor still encounters smuggling of illegal drugs not only in the national penitentiary but also in other prison facilities of the agency.
“Despite rigorous security measures in place, the BuCor continues to encounter the entry of contraband such as dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals and drug paraphernalia, in our prison facilities, thus, the need for collaboration with other government agencies as a vital approach in resolving the complex issues on drug use and trafficking in BuCor facilities,” Catapang said.
He signed a memorandum of agreement with NICA Assistant Director for Counterintelligence Rolando Asuncion, NBI Director Medardo de Lemos, PNP Chief Lt, Gen. Benjamin Acorda and PDEA Director General Moro Virgilio Lazo.
“The MOA signing with partner agencies will ensure that persons deprived of liberties, drug personalities or even syndicates do not benefit any further from the proceeds of their illicit drug activities and financially disabled them from further engaging in the trafficking of illegal drugs,” he added.
Aside from the NBP, the BuCor also operates the Davao Prison and Penal Farm, Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Palawan, San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga, Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro, Leyte Regional Prison and the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City.
Catapang said 70 to 80 percent of the more than 50,000 inmates at the NBP and six other operating prisons and penal colonies are serving time for drug-related convictions.
As part of the agreement, an Operations Center will be set up in the NBP to focus on intelligence gathering, monitoring and “taking of action” to prevent drug-related activities in the prison facilities operated by BuCor.
