Approximately 200 high-value detainees at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City will soon be transferred to a maximum-security facility, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla Jr. said on Tuesday.

Secretary Remulla said a meeting was held with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to discuss plans for establishing a maximum-security facility to house inmates allegedly involved in illegal drugs.

A key objective of the plan is to disrupt drug trade communication, Remulla said. During recent sweeps inside NBP, authorities confiscated cell phones and illegal drugs despite prior raids, he added.

Remulla said authorities are investigating the sources of the drugs inside NBP.

President Marcos convened with the DILG, Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to strengthen collaboration in the administration’s fight against prohibited narcotics..

Secretary Remulla shared that President Marcos is well aware of the issue and has directed them to take proactive measures.

“I think the operations (of the maximum security facility) will start pretty soon. And we should see a marked difference in the war against drugs in the Philippines,” Secretary Remulla also said.

For security reasons, Secretary Remulla declined to provide details about the facility’s location. | PND