THE decision of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) to cancel the visitations and other privileges given to inmates at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) and its six other operating units nationwide was meant to curb the proliferation of illegal drugs, Malacañang said on Thursday, March 7.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo explained that the Bucor's move was merely “temporary”.

"Temporary lang naman eh (It's just temporary). Siguro (Perhaps), that's a measure undertaken by the authorities to prevent the proliferation of the illegal drugs," Panelo told Palace reporters.

BuCor Director General Nicanor Faeldon ordered the immediate cancellation of visitations and recreational activities of inmates, after an inmate from the NBP was found to have continued running a drug operation in Cebu through the internet.

Drug convict Rustico Ygot, who is detained at the maximum security compound of the NBP, allegedly managed to trade illegal drugs in Cebu through video calls using messaging applications.

Cebu police on Sunday, March 3, arrested Ygot's supposed contact, Jocelyn Encila, in Consolaction town. Some 28 kilos of shabu with an estimated value of P190.4 million were seized in anti-drug operations.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), however, was not pleased by the BuCor's move and said the current administration should instead look for ways to improve jail management.

"The goal then of prisons should be to reform persons deprived of liberty, to uphold human dignity while being accountable for their faults, rather than being key in imposing policies that advocate for cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment," the CHR said. (SunStar Philippines)