Albayalde says SAF should not be blamed for entry of contraband inside Bilibid

September 10, 2019

Police General Oscar Albayalde on Tuesday said the Special Action Force (SAF) should not be blamed on the alleged corruption and entry of contraband inside New Bilibid Prison (NBP). 

"Let's not blame SAF on this," the head of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said in a press briefing.

His statement came amid the controversy surrounding the Bureau of Corrections' implementation of good conduct and time allowance (GCTA) law.

Some critics questioned the presence of SAF as some high-profile inmates are said to have a lavish life in detentio,

"Remember, what's happening (inside) is not the concern of SAF. SAF has no personal contact with the prisoners. They are only there to guard," he said.

"They (only) guards the premise, inspecting is not the duty of SAF. That's the job of BuCor," said Albayalde.

He added that SAF members are not allowed to enter inside the facility.

According to the PNP chief, it was discovered that some BuCor guards are relaxed or friends with inmates that's why cellphones and other gadgets can be brought inside.

"Remember cellphones and other gadgets were brought inside when an inmate- we are not saying all BuCor guards- but this is what was found out earlier that they (inmates) still know some guards. And once that guard in on duty, the inspection is somewhat relaxed that's why gadgets can still managed to go inside," he said.

He even mentioned receiving reports prison guards lend their phones to inmates. 

Albayalde said SAF members regularly change their duties every six months.

"The duties of SAF is rotation basis. After three to six months of their duty there, it will change so they will never have friends inside unless they already had," he said.

Members of SAF were deployed in BuCor on 2016 for the purpose of securing the maximum security compound. Ella Dionisio/DMS