DOJ chief seeks to allow wiretapping at Bilibid
MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Thursday proposed the relaxation of the Anti-Wiretapping Law since he wants to have access to the phones being used in New Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa City.
At the Senate hearing into illegal drugs, Aguirre said their agency has confirmed that mobile phones are still in inmates’ possession. He said that a local media reporter shared he was able to communicate with his source who is a Bilibid inmate.
Due to the presence of mobile phones, Aguirre said there is a need to amend the wiretapping law. He said inmates are not even allowed to use their phones.
“We know for a fact that these are prohibited inside the Bilibid, and we know for a fact that these cellphones are used by these high-profile inmates in order to transact illegal drugs throughout the Philippines. Is this not the case where wiretapping should be allowed?” Aguirre said during the hearing.
Former Justice secretary and now Sen. Leila De Lima agreed with Aguirre’s proposition and expressed concern regarding the presence of mobile phones. During her term at the Department of Justice, De Lima also waged a war against prison contrabands.
De Lima said contrabands are being taken inside the Bilibid with the connivance of prison officials or prison guards.
“That is perfectly valid proposition. Nakakalungkot lang na hanggang ngayon nakakalusot pa rin pala. Wala hong katapusan noon kahit anong klaseng regulasyon po ang pinapatupad po natin noon na talagang strictly no cellphones dapat ang policy,” De Lima said.
“…I agree that we should consider relaxing the law on Anti-Wiretapping Law in so far as convicts are concerned. But we should think of lesser threshold of evidence when it comes to wiretapping but nothing so low or as to be susceptible so much to abuses or possible excesses on the part of law enforcers,” she added.
One of the agenda of the Senate probe into illegal drugs is to review Senate Bill Nos. 21 and 950 or Authorizing wiretapping in cases involving violations of Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and Nos. 48 and 871 or the Anti-Wire Tapping Law.
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