MANILA — After an officer was allegedly found in possession of illegal drugs hidden in a pandesal bag at the New Bilibid Prison, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) suspended him.

Around 7:30 a.m., the correctional technical officer was apprehended at NBP Gate 1, Maximum Security Compound, during a routine check. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., Director General of BuCor, stated on Wednesday.

He was discovered to be in possession of two plastic sachets of suspected shabu that were concealed in a pandesal bag.

Additionally, Catapang has mandated that official charges be brought against the officer.

Meanwhile, 33 additional plastic sachets of suspected shabu were also confiscated from an inmate in Dorm 5A of Bilibid.

Catapang reminded corrections officers to remain vigilant and always follow Bilibid policies.

A female correctional officer from BuCor was placed under preventive suspension after she was caught carrying suspected illegal drugs tucked inside a pouch of pandesal, the agency confirmed on Wednesday

BuCor Response

BuCor’s top official, Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., ordered the preventive suspension of Wong as an initial measure.

The bureau also reiterated its commitment to intensify security measures — including stricter inspections of staff and visitors, usage of scanning technology, and K9 inspections — to avoid further smuggling of contraband into prison facilities. This comes amid a broader crackdown: from October 2023 onward BuCor has seized a cumulative 3.648 kilos of suspected shabu and several cannabis consignments across various penal farms and prisons nationwide.

Context: Ongoing Efforts and Past Cases

This arrest is part of a pattern: earlier this year, BuCor also prevented other smuggling attempts — including a female visitor sneaking shabu into New Bilibid Prison through body concealment, and correction officers and other staff implicated in smuggling cigarettes, alcohol, or illegal drugs into detention facilities.

BuCor has increasingly relied on advanced full-body scanners, K9 units, and tighter regulation of personnel quarters and deliveries — especially in penal farms — in its ongoing drive to cleanse the bureau of contraband and corruption.