3,700 detainees of New Bilibid are going to be displaced temporarily after the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) under Chief Gerald Bantag ordered the demolition of all illegal structures built along with the national penitentiary.
According to BuCor officials, 80% of illegal structures like “kubol” or private shelters were demolished by the government with the help of some detainees.
The displaced detainees are going to stay temporarily in tents provided by Senator Richard Gordon who’s also investigating the alleged corruption in the Bilibid.
NBP Spokesperson Albert Tapiru vowed that they’re going to build new facilities as replacement to the illegal structures they destroyed.
“Mayroon po kaming pondong isang bilyon na kailangan namin i-obligate ngayon. Ang isang bilyong pong iyon ay intended para sa pagpapatayo ng prison facilities,” he said.
Aside from removing the illegal structures inside the national penitentiary, the new leadership of BuCor removed more than 300 guards because of alleged involvement in corruption practices.
The said orders to BuCor were made by President Rodrigo Duterte as a response to some rumors that the illegal activities are still continuing inside the national penitentiary.