MANILA — Newly-appointed Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Chief Ronald dela Rosa is confident that he will be able to weed out illegal activities, including illegal drug trade, inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.
Dela Rosa, former Philippine National Police chief, asked for the cooperation of BuCor’s officials and employees to accomplish this task.
He also called on them not to be afraid of inmates, especially the high-profile inmates who wield influence inside the NBP.
“Don’t be afraid of drug lords, sila ang dapat matakot kasi nandyan sila nakakulong (they should be the ones who should be afraid because they are in prison),” dela Rosa said in his speech before BuCor officials and employees during the flag ceremony on Monday.
He also called on BuCor officials and employees to do what is right as he plans to institute the necessary reforms in the agency.
Dela Rosa, meanwhile, warned high-profile inmates in the NBP, that he will be relentless in going after those who continue their illegal activities inside the national penitentiary.
He made the remarks during his visit to the high-profile inmates in Building 14 of the NBP’s maximum security compound.
“Wala akong pakialam kung siga kayo o mayaman kayo, dito ako ang siga, naiintindihan nyo (I don’t care if you’re bully or you’re rich, because here, I’m the tough guy, do you understand),” dela Rosa told the inmates.
Among the high-profile inmates currently detained in Building 14 are convicted drug lord Peter Co and kidnapper Jayvee Sebastian.
Co was among those charged before the Department of Justice (DOJ) with self-confessed drug dealer Kerwin Espinosa, businessman Peter Lim and several others in connection with their alleged involvement in the illegal drugs trade.
The charges were initially dismissed by the DOJ but it was reinstated by a new panel established by former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II prior to his resignation. (With reports from Red Andador and Elijah Mendoza OJT-PNA)
