PNP chief Bato seeks help against cybercrime

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa called on anti-cybercrime experts on Wednesday to help the government stop the illegal drugs trade inside the National Bilibid Prison (NBP), according to the report of GMA News' Jam Sisante on "24 Oras."

"I'm appealing to the stakeholder, if you have the capability to monitor the communication, baka ma-charge tayo ng wiretapping nito. 'Yun bang mga drug lord sa loob ng NBP if you can monitor their transactions, kung ma-monitor niyo yan napakaganda sana sa ating war on drugs," Dela Rosa said.

Dela Rosa's appeal, according to Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, is proof that the government has failed to stop the illegal drug trade inside the national penitentiary despite the Duterte administration's heightened war on drugs.

"Si Senator Leila de Lima daw yung drug queen, naipakulong na nila. Pero pag tanungin mo "Bakit wala pang drug lord na nahuhuli?" at "Bakit may mga transaksyon pa rin na nanggagaling sa Bilibid." So, dun mo nga masasabi magaling lang sa postura at sa propaganda," he said.

On the other hand, Bureau of Corrections chief Benjamin Delos Santos said there are still drug transactions inside the pentitentiary. But the transactions have been lessened.

"While the drug trafficking coming from Bilibid has been drastically reduced, we still have once in a while monitored transactions. But we are doing it on two approaches nga, 'yung with the PNP and one with the NBI," Delos Santos said.

By April, telecommunications companies will be setting up signal jammers in different areas within the NBP compound.

"With the approval of the NTC, we’ll be installing jammers in maximum, medium, and minimum (prison facilities) free of charge, to help me completely stop whatever chance they could communicate and transact business," he said.

The NBP is also coordinating with the PNP, PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to identify sources and protectors of illegal drug suppliers outside the penitentiary. — Joseph Tristan Roxas/BAP, GMA News