Philippine National Police Chief Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa speaks with convicted drug lord Herbert Colangco during the turn over of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa to PNP-SAF. PNP

MANILA - High-profile inmates at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) will be the first to experience tighter security being enforced by the police Special Action Force (SAF).

SAF spokesperson Insp. Jonalyn Malnat said the elite policemen, who replaced prison guards yesterday, will focus on the dormitories of so-called Bilibid VIPs at the NBP Building 14.

Malnat added that the SAF will follow directives from the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) in manning the state penitentiary.

"The role of SAF is to support the BuCor in terms of security aspect. Dito lang po kami nagfo-focus sa Maximum Security sa Building 14," she said.

Among the high-profile inmates housed in the NBP Maximum Security Compound are Peter Co, Herbert Colangco, and Jaybee Sebastian.

PNP chief Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa came face-to-face with the three yesterday.

They kept their heads down and gave meek replies to Dela Rosa's questions.

Dela Rosa, binalaan ang mga 'hari ng Bilibid'

Dela Rosa and Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre earlier claimed that some high-profile inmates have pooled millions of pesos as bounty for their heads.

SAF commandos and the Philippine Marines will alternately watch over Bilibid while BuCor guards undergo re-training.

Aguirre said the Department of Justice is now investigating the root source of contraband items in the country's largest prison facility. -- With a report from Henry Atuelan, DZMM

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