BuCor officer denies smuggling allegations at SPPF

A commissioned officer from the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has denied involvement in an alleged smuggling incident at the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm (SPPF) in Occidental Mindoro.

Edgar Laudencia, along with another officer, was accused by BuCor of allowing a truck carrying contraband to enter SPPF premises on July 10.

Laudencia's wife provided The STAR with a permit signed by his co-accused, camp commander Francisco Madrid and chief Robert Vista, but denied her husband’s involvement in the incident.

In a letter to The STAR, Laudencia stated that the accusations have damaged his reputation as a minister at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP).

Laudencia requested BuCor Director Gregorio Catapang Jr. to clear her husband's name on July 16 but has not received a response.

Catapang ordered a thorough investigation and stated that he cannot interfere with it to avoid any appearance of bias.