NBP INMATE’S CLAIMS

FORMER Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III cried foul over the testimony of one of the witnesses lined up by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in last week’s investigation in the House of Representatives into the alleged illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison.

Baraan, in a text message, described as “outlandish” and “complete nonsense” the claim of inmate Herbert Colanggo that with a certain “Susan”, he facilitated the transfer of prisoners from medium to maximum security compound when he was yet a DOJ undersecretary in exchange for cash.

Baraan, in denying Colanggo’s allegation, reiterated that he had no hand in the transfer of prisoners inside NBP from medium to maximum security, and from NBP to other prison colonies.

He pointed out that the transfer of prisoners from one compound to another “is decided exclusively by the Bureau (of Corrections)  Director.”

“I did not have that authority to cause or order any such transfer. In instances like this, the Bucor director would decide alone, and would not formally seek the approval of the Office of the Secretary,” Baraan stressed in his text message.

He said: “Director Dy-Po of the Technical Staff of DOJ (Note: the Technical Staff is supervised by a different Usec) can clarify this. Any Bucor Director can also attest to this”.

“We did not even know who were transferred and where, when, why the transfers (were) made.”, he said.

Saying that Colanggo’s claim “is a complete nonsense”, Baraan challenged him to produce any document that shows that he approved any transfer of inmate/s within the Bilibid compound.

“I do not personally know of any employee in the Technical Staff whose name is Susan. I inquired from Director Dy-Po and she informed me that two employees in her office carry that name. What I am certain of is that I do not have-with either of them-that kind of dealing that Colanggo generally described in his “outlandish claim’.

In his testimony before Congress linking Baraan to the mess, Colanggo made mention of a certain “Susan” who reported to him. (Leonardo Micua)

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