Muntinlupa City: A female visitor of a person deprived of liberty (PDL) was arrested by prison guards at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City after she tried to smuggle suspected shabu into the facility, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said Wednesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. reported that Rovelyn Fabillar, 26, from Pasig City, was accosted on Tuesday after the contraband, which was wrapped in a condom and placed inside a transparent plastic, was discovered in her private parts. The item was found when BuCor personnel noticed irregularities in Fabillar’s abdomen during a routine security inspection using an advanced full-body scanner at the inmate visiting services unit -Maximum Security Compound.

Catapang emphasized the importance of enhanced security measures at correctional facilities, particularly in preventing drug smuggling attempts. He highlighted that the successful interception of this attempt marks a proactive step by BuCor in combating drug smuggling and preserving the safety and order within the prison system.

Last year, BuCor acquired two advanced full-body scanners capable of detecting items ingested or hidden under clothing, including concealed contraband inside visitors’ bodies. The technology aims to streamline the security process and reduce the need for invasive strip searches and manual cavity checks, which can be uncomfortable and time-consuming for both visitors and personnel. Catapang stated that implementing such measures is vital in maintaining the integrity of facility operations and ensuring that illegal substances do not enter prison facilities.

Fabillar was turned over to the Muntinlupa police, while the confiscated items were handed over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for proper disposition.