Palace admits resurgence of illegal drugs inside Bilibid a challenge

July 14, 2017

Malacanang admitted on Friday that the resurgence of illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison is a challenge on the government's war against narcotics. "If you're asking, if you're asking if the President (Rodrigo Duterte) is dismayed, definitely this presents quite a challenge," said Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella when asked that despite the detention of Senator Leila de Lima, illegal drug operations  continue inside the national penitentiary. The Duterte administration has managed to send to jail De Lima, the president's top critic, for her alleged involvement in the proliferation of illegal drugs in NBP when she was justice secretary during the previous administration. But recently, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II admitted there was resurgence of illegal drug trade inside the penitentiary. Bureau of Corrections  Director Benjamin Delos Santos tendered his irrevocable resignation on Thursday for failing to curb illegal drug trade. Abella assured that the government would address the problem. "We're up to it and we will make sure, we'll make sure that its properly addressed," he said. Meanwhile, on the criticism of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales against Duterte for allegedly egging people to arm themselves and kill drug suspects, Abella said, "I think she's really taking it out of context. Again and again, we've stated about how the President expresses himself and that particular statement may have been taken out of context." Morales told Japanese broadcaster NHK Thursday that “He’s goading people to kill people. That’s a problem. His communications people say ‘that’s hyperbole.'” The spokesman also said Malacanang would cooperate if the Senate would call for an investigation on the reinstatement of 19 policemen, including Superintendent Marvin Marcos, who were allegedly involved in the killing of a Leyte town mayor and another inmate last year. "The government will cooperate. I mean the government through the PNP will cooperate with any, with any investigations. We have always participated in any hearings and we will continue to abide by that," he said, adding that there was no demoralization among the men in uniform for the reinstatement of Marcos and other police officers. Marcos and 18 other persons were suspended for allegedly killing Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr and Raul Yap inside a sub-provincial jail in Baybay City in November 2016. Espinosa was allegedly involved in illegal drugs. (Celerina Monte/DMS)