MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Leila de Lima returned to the New Bilibid Prison on Monday for a third inspection, following the discovery of hotel-like accommodations inside the prison.
De Lima arrived at the state penitentiary past 10 a.m. to check contraband she ordered to be surrendered by inmates before the December 24 deadline, a radio report said.
She also vowed to vet on aged and ill inmates who may be considered for executive clemency by President Benigno Aquino III.
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De Lima said the special pardon for convicts is Aquino's "gift" to Pope Francis whose visit to the Philippines in January carries the theme "mercy and compassion."
On December 15, De Lima and about 100 cops, investigators and anti-narcotics personnel raided the facility's Maximum Security Compound and had 19 of its high-profile inmates transferred after contraband was found in their rooms.
De Lima and a smaller team returned on December 18 to inspect similar rooms of prisoners who live in hotel-like accommodations and conduct illegal activities from inside the prison. - with a report from Edu Punay