ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin T. Tulfo urged the House of Representatives today (Aug. 3) to revisit the existing operations manual of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) after it was found out during the congressional hearing that some inmates inside the maximum security compound were still enjoying excessive privileges.
Tulfo filed House Resolution No, 1136 last July 26, urging the Congress to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation on the reported disappearance of an inmate and the discovery of mass graves at the maximum security compound of the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP), and the continued operations of organized crime or criminal elements inside the national penitentiary.
During the hearing on Committee on Public Order and Safety, Tulfo questioned BuCor officials led by former AFP Chief of Staff, Gen. Gregorio Catapang, Jr., Director General, BuCor, on why they are still allowing several privileges to inmates including ordering of food from outside the detention and too much visiting hours privilege.
He also mentioned the pronouncement of Catapang in several interviews that wealthy and influential inmates were still “running the show” inside NBP.
“Narinig nyo naman kayo na ang nagsabi kanina na ang nagpapatakbo ng NBP ay mga drug lord dahil sabi ni Gen. Catapang sa isang prouncement
sa newscast na mga PDL na foreigner, Chinese, Korean ayaw kumain ng ulam ng New Bilibid dahil siguro ang ulam tuyo, galunggong o munggo. E gusto mag-order ng mga noodles, gusto ng hamburger,” Tulfo said during the hearing.,
When asked if the said privileges were part of the operations manual of the BuCor, Sr. Insp. Angelina Bautista, Superintendent of the NBP, confirmed that it was part of the rights being given to the Person Deprived of Liberty (PDL) prompting Cong. Tulfo to manifest before the committee hearing.
“I would suggest na kailangan siguro nating i-revisit yung manual ng Bureau of Corrections para makita po natin ang sinasabi ng opisyal na ito. Kasi para pong hindi na tama. Sobra naman hong napakaraming privileges,” Tulfo averred.
“Kung ganun ho sir ay mas maganda po yata ng buhay sa loob kesa labas,” the lawmaker added.
Earlier, Tulfo called on the Congress to investigate NBP to possibly enact a law that will put an end to the perennial problem inside the jail facilities. “Papalit palit lamang tayo ng mga ospiyal sa BuCor pero paulit-ulit lamang ang problema at hindi nasusulusyunan. Dapat na itong matuldukan,” Tulfo said in a statement.
