MANILA (UPDATED) — The Bureau of Corrections deployed Monday K-9 units at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City, in a bid to curb the smuggling of contraband in the national penitentiary.

The units include 15 small breed dogs that can sniff out illegal drugs and cellphones, as well as 15 large breed dogs trained to find bombs and explosives.

The deployment is part of BuCor acting director general Gregorio Catapang Jr.’s reforms at the NBP.

The development came after the BuCor seized some 7,500 cans of beer and other smuggled contraband, such as cellphones, laptops, chargers bladed weapons and illegal drugs inside the NBP earlier this month.

• Bilibid inmates surrender drugs, cellphones, weapons, beer

In a press conference, Catapang also presented various technologies that could help intercept illegal items and prevent prison personnel from colluding with inmates. These include metal detectors and scanners, signal jammers and CCTV cameras.

Several personnel will also be given cellphones with a multi-layered security system to monitor their movements while inside the penitentiary, as Catapang stressed on “guarding the guards.”

“What I lack in personnel, I will compensate through technology. This will be a technology-driven security system that we will implement,” Catapang said. “Ang problema ko na who will guard the guardians, the technology will guard the guardians.”

These equipment include X-ray machines, metal detectors and metal scanners, signal jammers and CCTV cameras. Several prison personnel will also be given cellphones equipped with a multi-layered security system which will monitor their movements while inside the national penitentiary.

“The technology will involve command and control, intelligence surveillance and electronic warfare. We’ve been doing this for the past several years sa AFP and other agencies,” explained retired Col. Lindsey Rex Sagge, president and CEO of Safer PH Innovations, Inc., who lent the equipment to the BuCor.

“Iba-ibang sensors, communication equipment. Magkakaroon ng sariling LTE ang BuCor. This is for security and cost-efficiency. Lahat ng phones ay iissue sa personnel, may sariling SIM card iyon for security purposes,” he added.

The official said 12 personnel from the BuCor and 3 from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology are being investigated after they were identified as among those behind the alleged entry of contraband in the NBP.

BILIBID TUNNEL: FOR TREASURE HUNTING?

The BuCor is now investigating an alleged tunnel at the Director’s Quarters of the NBP.

The tunnel was dug below the swimming pool. It is about 300 by 300 meters wide and 20 meters deep.

Asked if the tunnel was used by PDLs to escape or to smuggle contraband, Catapang said the BuCor will still have to find out.

“Sa initial investigation namin sa tunnel, ang mga gwardya, sabi nila, hindi sila pinapalapit. Nakikita nila may metal detectors na pinapasok doon para magcheck… Ang nag-operate ng backhoe na hindi naman taga-BuCor, ang hinahanap nila parang metals. Nagdig sila ng tunnel eh,” Catapang said.

He then continued, “(Escape route?) I’m not saying na pwede rin. We will have to find out… Illegal quarrying iyon eh. (Treasure hunting?) Hindi natin alam, kasi di ba former Japanese-American town iyan. Malay mo diyan itinago ang Yamashita treasure.”

Catapang has asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for help in the investigation.

• BuCor probes 'tunnel' found in Bilibid

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