Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) remained on heightened alert after all closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras inside the detention cell of high-profile inmates shut down on Friday evening (June 5).
A source inside the NBI, told CNN Philippines that the CCTV cams bogged down at past 9 p.m. in the cell of 19 convicts temporarily detained at the agency.
The 19 convicts were those caught leading lavish lifestyles while inside the New Bilibid Prison.
In a raid in December 2014, the prisoners — among them convicted drug lords — had jacuzzis and air conditioning units inside their areas, also known as “kubol.”
The source added that on the other hand, all the other CCTVs outside the detention cell of the prisoners were working at the time of the incident.
NBI officials then hoisted the heightened alert, fearing some of the prisoners might take advantage of the situation to sneak out.
Several agents armed with high-caliber rifles manned the main gate of NBI until around 2 a.m. on Saturday (June 6).
The presence of heavily-armed personnel was unusual because only up to two agents were usually stationed at the gate.
NBI Director Virgilio Mendez, in a text message to CNN Philippines, claims the NBI has been on heightened alert since December 15, 2014 when the detainees were transferred from the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa to NBI.
Mendez called the incident as “very disturbing” and said he will refer it to the NBI’s Administrative Services Division.
Meanwhile, NBI Deputy Director for Special Investigation, Atty. Antonio Pagatpat, denied there was a shutdown of the CCTVs.
Pagatpat said there was only a minor glitch with a monitoring system — adding that the NBI had a footage back-up system in such a situation.
He said the glitch was corrected a few minutes later and that there was no any unusual activity recorded in an out of the detention facility.
