BUREAU of Corrections Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. yesterday said they will tap forensic experts from the University of the Philippines to help excavate another septic tank at the maximum-security compound of the Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City amid concerns it could also contain bodies or body parts of missing inmates.
Last week, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said a decapitated body was found inside a septic tank in the national penitentiary belonging to an inmate missing since last July 15.
“We will coordinate with UP, with their forensic experts, on how best to excavate the second septic tank,” Catapang told dzBB.
He said they decided to tap the UP experts after he met with Remulla last Friday.
“The Secretary told me not to excavate the other septic tank, that forensic experts, UP forensics, will handle it,” he said, adding all septic tanks in the NBP compound will be searched.
“I want to put an end to this culture of burying bodies in septic tanks. All septic tanks will be opened,” Catapang said, although he did not say how many septic tanks are in the NBP.
“I do not want that culture to continue during my term. I do not want persons deprived of liberty to attack each other due to misunderstanding and then burying them all the while declaring the dead inmate as missing or had escaped but the truth is he was already buried,” he said.
Catapang did not say how many Bilibid inmates have been reported missing or escaped before he assumed the top BuCor post.
DERAILING REFORMS?
Catapang also said he suspects some groups are out to derail reforms he launched at the agency to put an end to illegal activities, particularly at New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.
“Somebody is doing something to derail our reforms in the bureau,” Catapang said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.
He said he apparently earned the ire of some groups after he instituted measures to put an end to illegal activities, such as the smuggling of contraband items.
“The former superintendent there allowed the entry of contraband. Remember the 7,500 cans of beer that we confiscated selling for 1, 000 pesos each? That’s why we are looking at those who are maybe behind the efforts to derail our reforms here,” Catapang said.
Last April this year, Catapang sacked 700 guards securing the NBP’s maximum security compound for various offenses.
He said his office received information that some jail guards were collecting as much as P500 from visitors to expedite their entry to the national penitentiary to visit their loved ones and to bring in prohibited items such as liquor.
Catapang acknowledged that it would take a long time to clean up the NBP and the other prison and penal farms, adding the problem is exacerbated by the behavioral problem not only among the inmates but also among BuCor personnel.
Catapang said during one instance, he discovered a correctional officer turning away the coverage of a closed-circuit television camera away from his post.
In return, Catapang said he told his men his office will look at ways on how to provide them additional benefits, including housing facilities.
He said the BuCor has engaged the services of international prison reforms expert Prof. Raymund Narag of Southern Illinois University to help them institute reforms in the agency but said it will take time.
To alleviate the congestion problem, Catapang said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla announced last Friday that the NBP will no longer accept new inmates.
Catapang said every month, the BuCor is releasing around 300 inmates who have completed their maximum prison sentence or were given parole or clemency. But 600 more new inmates are being received by the NBP monthly.
Decongesting the NBP is in preparation for its planned closure in 2028. Catapang said the government plans to convert the 357-hectare property into a commercial hub.
Catapang also said Bilibid inmates are now allowed to order food via online delivery applications through the laptops being used for BuCor’s “e-dalaw” program.
