Aguirre takes control of Bureau of Corrections

July 27, 2017

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Thursday said he will be taking over the supervision and management of Bureau of Corrections following the reported return of illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison. In Department Order No. 505, Aguirre said he "shall directly supervise the management and operations of the BuCor, which are not within the ministerial powers of its Officer-in-Charge." ”The concerned officials and employees of BuCor are directed to submit and bring the undersigned’s attention all matters that are beyond the authority of the BuCor officer-in-charge,” the directive stated. Aguirre has administrative supervision of BuCor being an attached agency of the Department of Justice. BuCor chief Benjamin Delos Santos quit last July 13. Aguirre led another surprise inspection at NBP Thursday morning that led to confiscation of various contrabands. Aguirre said a high-profile inmate continued his illegal drug trade operations despite crackdown by the BuCor. There are "new leaders" who joined the trade, he added. DMS