Department of Justice Secretary ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to probe a prison guard at the New Bilibid Prison who was caught carrying a packet of shabu inside the national penitentiary on Thursday.
“My instruction is to investigate further and file the appropriate charges [against the NBP guard],” Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre said, in a text message.
“The DoJ will not tolerate these acts of our people. If a crime has been committed, it will not go unpunished,” Aguirre added.
The prison guard, identified as Ernesto Dionglay, was arrested while entering the gate of the maximum-security compound of NBP after Special Action Force operatives found a plastic sachet containing 100 grams of shabu.
Dionglay was immediately detained at the Muntinlupa City police station as authorities prepare charges of possession of illegal drugs under Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act against him.
The Justice Secretary earlier confirmed the resurgence of illegal drug trade in the NBP and cited the possibility that some members of the Special Action Force have been tainted by the huge amount of money involved, adding that he would seek an investigation on the matter.
The Department of Justice chief has revealed that a high-profile inmate continued his illegal drug trade operations despite a crackdown by the Bureau of Corrections and that there are “new leaders” who joined the trade.
Aguirre said the resurgence of illegal drug trade in NBP involves about five to 10 percent of the original operations, which were successfully dismantled under the Duterte administration.
He ordered the NBI to conduct a probe and determine how the illegal drug trade returned and also file the appropriate administrative and criminal cases against those responsible.
The resurgence of the illegal drug trade in NBP led to the resignation of BuCor director Benjamin delos Santos last month and replacement of the contingency of Philippine National Police-Special Action Force guarding the national penitentiary.