Demolish wall across Bilibid road, BuCor urged

MANILA, Philippines — Officials in Muntinlupa City appealed yesterday to the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) to demolish the concrete wall it constructed along Insular Prison Road.

The city government and the council of Barangay Poblacion, which covers the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) compound, have passed resolutions condemning the construction of the wall.

Councilor Raul Corro said the BuCor violated the right of Southville 3 residents to use the road.

Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon said the construction of the wall was illegal.

“That wall is illegal and is a nuisance as defined by Article 694 of the Civil Code as it obstructs the free passage of a public highway or street,” Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon said. “What is more alarming is that no proper coordination whatsoever was made with the city government and the barangay.”

Residents of Southville 3 in Barangay Poblacion were furious over the closure of the road.

The Insular Prison Road gives residents of Southville 3, a socialized housing project of National Housing Authority, access to and from Barangay Poblacion and city proper of Muntinlupa.

Biazon said the wall compromises the safety of residents because it is blocking the entry to Southville 3, which will enable police and fire officers to respond quickly to emergencies.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi wrote to BuCor chief Gerald Bantag, saying the closure of the road violated Section 21 of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991.

Fresnedi said the BuCor should have afforded the city government and the affected residents “a little courtesy” before closing the road.

BuCor spokesman Gabriel Chaclag said the wall was built to prevent easier access to the NBP’s maximum security compound.

“The wall did not block but rather closed the road from Southville 3 passing through the national penitentiary,” he said.