THE National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will file administrative charges against four policemen who were among those allegedly caught sneaking contraband into the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

NCRPO acting director Brigadier General Debold Sinas said charges of grave misconduct will be filed against the four cops who were caught in possession of cigarettes and alcoholic beverages inside the national penitentiary.

"Grave misconduct. Ang maximum penalty niyan is dismissal, ang medium penalty niyan is one rank demotion, ang minimum penalty is two to six months suspension," Sinas said during a press conference in Quezon City on Friday, November 1.

At least 16 cops were earlier subjected to investigation after they allegedly tried to smuggle contraband into the jail. Among the illegal items seized from them were cigarettes, liquor and cellphones.

Sinas said the cellphones are still being subjected to forensic examination to determine whether these were intended for personal use or for possible sale to the inmates.

The 16 cops were among the 551 cops from the NCRPO Regional Mobile Force Company who were deployed to secure the premises of NBP’s Maximum Security Compound.

They replaced the guards who were relieved by Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gerald Bantag amid corruption issues in the penitentiary. (SunStar Philippines)