The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has successfuly transferred 300 inmates involved in drug-related cases from the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City to the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro on Thursday night, officials said.
The move follows an order by Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Crispin Remulla to consolidate all inmates at the New Bilibid Prison into a single Supermax facility.
Initially, 100 inmates were set to be transferred last week but the plan was postponed due to a typhoon and concerns over safety, BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said.
The inmates were eventually moved using 10 commercial buses under the supervision of 90 staff members, including SWAT teams, medical personnel and an escort team, with assistance from the Philippine National Police and highway patrol units.
The transfer is part of the BuCor’s intensified anti-illegal drug campaign, which aligns with the Marcos government’s “bloodless drug campaign”.
In a separate move, BuCor has also banned the use of cellphones for all personnel, visitors and anyone entering its premises, including the National Headquarters and various operational prisons and penal farms across the country.
Thorough inspections have also been ordered at all entry and exit points to prevent the smuggling of cellular devices, while regular inspections of facilities will be conducted to identify any prohibited items.
BuCor has been transferring inmates from the New Bilibid Prison to other facilities since last year in an effort to decongest the prison and prepare for its planned closure in 2028.
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