Cancellation of inmates’ privileges only temporary —DOJ

The Bureau of Corrections' (BuCor) cancellation of the privileges of 45,000 inmates nationwide is only temporary, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Wednesday.

BuCor Director General Nicanor Faeldon on Tuesday prohibited visitations and recreational activities among prisoners in the seven penal colonies managed by the bureau, including the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

Privileges were revoked amid the alleged continued entry of contraband items into penal institutions despite crackdowns in the past.

"That's a temporary measure to meet certain exigencies," Guevarra said, assuring that the privileges will be returned.

"Let's just give the BuCor some time to do their sweeping operations first," he added.

The activities of drug convict and maximum security inmate Rustico Ygot has been placed under investigation on allegations that he managed to facilitate drug transactions through the internet while in prison.

Ygot was reportedly linked to the P190-million worth of shabu seized at two operations in Cebu over the weekend. —NB, GMA News