Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 17) — Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Catapang on Monday said up to 20 of the 700 prison guards relieved of their post may face administrative cases.
“Maybe about 10 or 20,” Catapang told CNN Philippines’ The Source, adding that authorities are currently collecting pieces of evidence against the involved officials to support the cases.
On April 12, Catapang said he had ordered the removal of some 700 guards at the New Bilibid Prison’s maximum compound. Many of these personnel were revealed to have committed work violations, like having someone else sign their attendance despite not reporting for duty.
About 300 personnel will replace the relieved officers, he noted.
Corruption among prison guards has also remained, Catapang said. Reports say visitors are asked to pay as much as ₱500 to expedite their entry and be allowed to bring in some prohibited items, he added.
“They are the bad example… connivance na sila eh. Sila sila nagtataguan (They help each other hide), they help each other profit from within, may sindikato na dito (there is already a sydicate here),” the BuCor chief said.
Catapang said the relieved officers will be reeducated through seminars. If they continue to misbehave, they will be jailed, he warned.
Meanwhile, a number of officers may also be removed from their post after failing to qualify for the position they are currently holding, Catapang said.
