A female visitor at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City was apprehended after allegedly attempting to smuggle illegal drugs concealed in a condom hidden in her private parts.
Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. identified the suspect as Rhea, who was arrested on Tuesday afternoon, September 9.
According to Catapang, Rhea had registered as a visitor of Edgardo Mercado, a person deprived of liberty (PDL) detained at the NBP’s maximum security compound.
Citing a report from NBP Superintendent Roger Boncales, Catapang said Rhea showed hesitation during routine security screening, particularly the mandatory X-ray body scan.
“After expressing discomfort and requesting to use the restroom, she was observed by a guard in a compromising position — trying to dispose of a suspicious object from her private parts,” Boncales’ report stated.
The guard’s intervention “led to the recovery of a condom containing a white crystalline substance, suspected to be illegal drugs,” the report also stated.
After Rhea’s arrest, the confiscated items were sent to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Forensic Laboratory for further analysis.
Rhea was turned over to the police for processing, the BuCor said.
“As we continue to address these security issues, the case serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against drug-related activities and the measures necessary to protect correctional facilities from exploitation,” Catapang said. (Jeffrey Damicog)
