Music Studio in prison

Convict Herbert Colangco’s room at the National Penitentiary in Muntinlupa City rocks with a music studio. President Aquino has expressed particular concern over firearms found in possession of 19 Very Important Prisoners during a raid last month that also uncovered their luxurious living conditions.

MANILA, Philippines — President Aquino has expressed particular concern over firearms found in the possession of 19 Very Important Prisoners during a raid that also uncovered their luxurious living conditions at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.

Quoting Justice Secretary Leila de Lima who led the dawn raid, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the President had given “specific instructions on the firearms discovered and it’s what worries him.”

Found in the living quarters of drug lord Peter Co were five firearms, along with cash amounting to P1.4 million, wide-screen TV sets, air-conditioning units, cell phones, money-counting machines, laptops, a projector and other appliances. The unit also had a sauna.

Coloma said the findings showed the “scale and depth of the illegal activities” taking place at the NBP, but the problem “could not be solved right away.”

Military takeover recommended

In the House of Representatives, Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice has drafted a joint resolution urging Aquino to declare a military takeover of the NBP.

Erice said that under the Constitution, the President, as the Commander in Chief, was empowered to call out the Armed Forces to prevent lawless violence, invasion or rebellion.

He said the proliferation of criminal syndicates under the very noses of Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) officials required extreme measures, such as a temporary military takeover of the NBP. Co’s jail room showed the extent and sophistication of illegal drug operations run by convicted drug lords from inside what was supposed to be a high-security facility.

Updated: 2015-01-14 — 18:03:47