BuCor says wall construction in response to ‘illegal activities’ inside NBP Camp

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Saturday defended the construction of a wall near residential areas in Muntinlupa City, saying it was necessary to address the "illegal activities" inside the New Bilibid Prison Camp. 

The BuCor made the statement after residents of Katarungan Village tore down the wall since it blocked their access to the city proper.

“This measure is made in response to several incidents and reports on illegal activities perpetuated inside the NBP Camp,” the agency said.

It said that the residents have "more than enough" access points.

"They have access going to Daang Hari Road," the BuCor said.

Muntinlupa City Hall, meanwhile, can be accessed through the Green Heights Subdivision, which “they had temporarily closed by themselves in the past but can be opened for purposes of accessibility," it added. 

“BuCor stands firm on its position on the intensified and continued efforts in performing its mandates,” it said.

“BuCor will implement the same kind of service with the Katarungan Village residents in accordance with the law and its lawful mandate."

Muntinlupa Mayor Jimmy Fresnedi on Saturday said the wall had no permit and no coordination was made with the local government and residents.

The mayor said the concrete wall also blocked teachers' and students' route to the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa and Muntinlupa National High School.

The Muntinlupa City council passed six resolutions on the matter, according to Super Radyo dzBB's Jhomer Apresto. One resolution declared BuCor Director Gerald Bantag as persona non grata, another sought a Senate investigation on the BuCor's actions, while a third was a request for President Rodrigo Duterte to junk the BuCor's actions.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the BuCor to stop the construction activities. 

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said there needs to be a proper consultation with the local government and the barangay regarding the construction.

The BuCor is an attached agency of the DOJ.

Guevarra has called BuCor Director General Undersecretary Gerald Bantag to a meeting on Monday regarding the matter, according to a report by Olan Bola on Super Radyo dzBB.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, ipatatawag sa isang pulong sa Lunes si Bureau of Corrections Usec. Gerald Bantag, kaugnay ng pagtatayo ng pader sa Brgy. Poblacion, sa Muntinlupa City. | via @olanbola pic.twitter.com/QjQWPYpmQc

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) November 27, 2021

On Saturday evening past 11 p.m. however, the said road is still closed. Aside from the low wall, a barricade and barbed wire were also installed, as tweeted by GMA News reporter Mai Bermudez.

Bukod sa mababang pader, nilagyan pa ng barikada at barbed wire ang bahaging ito ng University Road papuntang city proper ng Muntinlupa.

Tuluyang isinara ang daan dahil hinukay ang kalsada @gmanews pic.twitter.com/OlKM4Fu3LG

— Mai Bermudez (@MaiBermudezGMA) November 27, 2021

  — VBL/KG, GMA News