By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
On Thursday night (Nov. 20), the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) transferred 300 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) involved in drug-related cases from the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City to the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm (SPPF) located in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro.
This follows Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla’s instruction to consolidate all PDLs (in NBP) into a single Supermax facility. According to BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., they initially planned to transfer 100 PDLs to the Sablayan facility late last week but was postponed due to a recent typhoon and at the recommendation of the Philippine Coast Guard, as they awaited better weather conditions to guarantee the safety of the PDLs during transport.
Catapang noted that the PDLs were moved using ten commercial buses under the supervision of 90 staff members, which included BuCor SWAT teams, medical personnel, and an escort team, assisted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Muntinlupa, as well as SLEX and STAR Toll Highway Patrol units; this transfer is part of BuCor’s intensified anti-illegal drug campaign, aligning with the Marcos Jr. Administration’s “bloodless drug campaign.”
In addition to relocating the PDLs to Sablayan, the Bureau is also implementing a ban on the use of cellphones—without exception—to all commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, civilian staff, visitors, and anyone else entering the premises of the National Headquarters – BuCor Offices, New Bilibid Camps, and various operational prisons and penal farms (OPPFs) across the country.
Likewise, thorough inspections were also ordered for implementation at all entry and exit points of OPPFs to deter the smuggling of cellular devices.
In addition, Catapang has instructed his superintendents to carry out regular inspections of facilities, including unscheduled checks of prison dormitories and workspaces occupied by BuCor personnel to identify any prohibited items.
Since last year, the BuCor has been transferring PDLs from NBP to various OPPFs in an effort to decongest the NBP and in preparation for its planned closure in 2028. (with report from Louisa Erispe/PTV News)
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