DOJ Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre. PHOTO by UNTV/Google
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to create a fact-finding committee to look into allegations that two former high-ranking officials of the Department received bribes from some convicts at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City so the latter could enjoy privileges, including continuing their drug operations, while in prison.
In a press conference on Friday, DOJ Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II said the fact-finding committee will be composed of prosecutors and undersecretaries of the Department.
However, Aguirre did not directly mention the names of the former DOJ officials who are among those to be investigated.
He said that the investigation will reach the highest posts at the DOJ.
The DOJ Secretary stressed that even the high officials at the NBP have already "been eaten up by the system of corruption" such that they seemed to have become beholden to the high-profile inmates.
Aguirre added that millions of pesos were given as "protection money" by the drug lords to the former officials of the DOJ and corrupt officials of the NBP. (Perfecto T. Raymundo Jr./PNA)