NCRPO threatens police pullout from Bilibid

MANILA, Philippines – The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has threatened to pull out its men guarding the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City if the supposed finger-pointing against the police continues.

NCRPO director Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas defended the 16 policemen who allegedly slipped contraband into the NBP, but said they are “not yet off the hook.”

Sinas said pulling out policemen from the national penitentiary would prevent instances where the police would take the fall for some incidents. 

“If they are going to blame us for all that is happening in Bilibid, I think it’s best we pull out our men there. We are not here to fight, we’re here to work together. If every day, I feel like there’s excessive blame thrown at the police, then we may see ourselves going that way,” he said.

Sinas advised officers of the NBP to be careful in issuing unverified information, especially if it involves police personnel.

“We are appealing that if it’s the police that’s involved. At least give them a chance to explain,” he said.

Sinas said he has issued an order that would place operational command and supervision of policemen under the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor). 

He said the new arrangement would ensure that there would be only one authority supervising security personnel in the NBP. 

Sinas pointed out that one authority would be better instead of having the troops report both to the NCRPO and BuCor. 

To date, around 500 police personnel are assigned to secure the NBP. 

Another 500 policemen were recalled from the NBP yesterday as the clearing operations were finished.

Sinas also recommended that security personnel be rotated every month or not exceeding two months to ensure that there would be no familiarity between the policemen and inmates. 

‘Not off the hook’

Still, the NCRPO chief said the 16 policemen accused of sneaking contraband into Bilibid earlier this week are “not yet off the hook.”

Sinas said their initial investigation showed that 14 of the policemen did not commit a grave offense when they were caught with cell phones in the NBP.

“I don’t think there’s a grave offense. They never violated a policy. Nasa formation sila,” he told reporters. 

The policemen claimed that they were late and were not able to surrender their cell phones before they got into formation for accounting at the quad intelligence office.

Sinas said the police officers may face penalties for the minor offense of violating instructions, or they could be exonerated.

Minor offenses merit penalties of suspension or forfeiture of pay. 

Two policemen, one of whom was caught in possession of alcohol, have yet to report for duty.

They have been given until today to surrender or they would be declared AWOL or absent without official leave. 

Sinas said he would wait for the results of the investigation of both the police and BuCor into the incident. 

Authorities have yet to release the names of the policemen, who were ordered relieved from their posts on Wednesday.