Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 2) — More than 7,500 beer-in-cans were seized inside the maximum security compound of the New Bilbid Prison.
In a press briefing, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) officer-in-charge Gregorio Catapang said each can costs around ₱1,000.
“Alam mo ba yang isang beer na yan, baka malasing ka pag nalaman mo ang presyo. ₱ 1,000 ang bentahan diyan. Mahihilo ka talaga kasi napakamahal,” he said.
[Translation: You might get drunk if you find out how much one beer costs. It costs ₱1,000 each. You will get drunk because of its price.]
The BuCor chief revealed some personnel of BuCor and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology who are temporarily working inside the national penitentiary were behind the beer smuggling.
“Papaano naipasok yan? May mga kumanta na kung sino ang nagpapasok. But we cannot divulge to you the names kasi under investigation pa,” Catapang said.
[Translation: How did these get inside? Some have testified already but we cannot divulge to you the names because we’re still investigating.]
Aside from beer, authorities also confiscated sachets of suspected shabu, guns, cellphones, laptops, money, sharp objects, and other contraband.
Catapong vowed to implement a one-strike policy against BuCor officials who will allow smuggling inside the prison.
“Wag mo ng hintayin na ako ang papasok diyan. Pag naabutan ko na may drugs diyan, may baril diyan, whatever, ikaw ang mananagot sakin,” he warned.
[Translation: Don’t wait for me to go there. If I find drugs and guns or whatever, you will be punished.]
CNN Philippines correspondent Gerg Cahiles contributed to this report
