MANILA, Philippines - It looks like prison life wasn't too tough for some of
the Philippines' most notorious inmates. Authorities said Monday they had
seized late-model flat-screen TVs, DVD players and stereos, assorted firearms
and mobile phones from jail cells in the national penitentiary compound in the
Manila suburb of Muntinlupa.
Bureau of Corrections Director Vicente Vinarao said he ordered the swoop after an upsurge in the electricity bill, and in line with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (news - web sites)'s order for all government offices to save on energy.
More than 900 assorted weapons — swords, knives, live ammunition, improvised guns and machetes — also were confiscated, Vinarao said.
"What is surprising, maybe you will not believe, that along with the ... assorted weapons, we also confiscated almost 100 televisions, mostly 29 inches," Vinarao told DZBB radio.
He said while the assorted weapons could be hidden, it was impossible for TVs and other appliances to be smuggled in without the guards' knowledge.
Vinarao said most of the luxury items were found among convicted drug smugglers, who were also using cell phones to conduct business from jail.
He said that as a result, "undesirable" prison guards and custodial personnel were removed from the facility.
Vinarao said only one television set is now allowed in each prison dormitory, and that lights will be turned on only from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. to help cut to about half the prison's $35,700 monthly electricity bill.
The national penitentiary is home to death row convicts, those serving life sentences and other criminals.
