Bucor wants to ‘erase’ gang tattoos of Bilibid inmates

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) wanted to cover inmates’ tattoos at the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP), showing which group they belong to avoid trouble in prison.

In a report by Joseph Morong on GMA News “24 Oras” on Wednesday, it was said that the tattoo removal was done through “Oplan Bura Tatak,” a project of BuCor chief director general Gerald Bantag.

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“May mga nag-aaway pero hindi katulad noong may mga pangkat. Kapag nasaktan ang isang pangkat, gaganti naman. Nagbabaka sakali tayo na ‘yong culture of violence ng pangkat ay at least mabawasan kung hindi man mawala nang tuluyan,” Bantag said.

All inmates or persons deprived of liberty are said to be required to participate in the program. Only tattoos or marks of their group will be covered.

“‘Yong mga tattoo artists natin talagang mga lisensyado. Sila ‘yong (in-charge) na tanggalin kung ano ‘yong pangalan noong pangkat,” said Bantag.

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Meanwhile, some “PDLs” surrendered some weapons such as knives.

“Ito na ang magandang resulta kasi lahat ng armory nila unti-unti na ‘yang ibibigay sa amin, isu-surrender,” the BuCor chief said.

“Oplan Bura Tatak” was also conducted at the Correctional Institution for Women and other penal farms in the province.

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Also read: 5,200 prisoners die in Bilibid due to overcrowding, malnutrition

Bucor wants to ‘erase’ gang tattoos of Bilibid inmates

Recently, nine prisoners were killed after two gangs clashed inside the NBP. Seven other inmates were wounded in the clash, Bureau of Corrections spokesman Gabriel Chaclag.

It was not clear what caused the violence between the Sputnik and Commando gangs.

According to the research of Griffith University in 2014, it is common practice for Philippine prisons to operate under a system of shared governance.
In this type of arrangement, prison gang leaders help to maintain internal control and safeguard inmates as best they can. Even though prison stability is fragile, gang leaders help correctional officers restore order quickly once disorder occurs.
A detainee is tattooed with the prison gang’s marking once he decides to join the group.