BuCor obtains 2 full-body scanners for HQ, Bilibid maximum security

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has obtained two new full-body scanners that can detect prohibited items that may be smuggled by visitors of persons deprived of liberty (PDL).

In a statement on Wednesday, BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said the full-body scanners can identify items that are ingested, hidden under clothing, and concealed inside visitors' private parts. 

"This will eliminate the need for strip searches and manual cavity checks on visitors," Catapang said in a statement.

According to Catapang, the scanners will be deployed at the entrance of the national headquarters' administrative building and at the inmate visiting services unit of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Maximum Security Camp.

He said BuCor seeks to procure more scanners for prisons and penal farms nationwide.

In May, Catapang discontinued strip and cavity searches on visitors of PDLs after receiving complaints from two wives of PDLs.

He previously said the strip and cavity search was implemented after some visitors attempted to smuggle contraband inside the facility by hiding these in various body parts.

Last Tuesday, Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor "Jonvic" Remulla Jr. said the number one source of the drug trade was apparently still inside the NBP. — VDV, GMA Integrated News