A new team of agents has been assigned to secure the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) detention facility where 19 high-profile inmates from Bureau of Correction (BuCor) are temporarily housed.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said that the new team will be under the supervision of NBI Deputy Director for Intelligence Services Jose Doloiras.

De Lima axed the agents previously assigned to guard the NBI detention facility where the “Bilibid 19” and other high-profile convicts like former Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co and pyramiding scam mastermind Jachob “Coco” Rasuman are detained.

“The entire NBI complement team assigned at the NBI detention facility has been relieved of its duties vis-a-vis said facilility, pending investigation,” Secretary De Lima said.

“DD Doloiras is also on top of the investigation into those recent discoveries of cellphones in both the regular detention facility and NBP extension facility at NBI,” she added.

During surprise inspections led by De Lima herself the other week at the detention facility, prohibited items such as cellphones and phone chargers were found concealed in various items like the false bottom of a rice cooker, a secret compartment of a water cooler, underneath washing machines, and inside pairs of shoes and slippers.

De Lima said an administrative case will be filed against the relieved agents if the probe would show prima facie evidence against them.

The Justice Secretary earlier disclosed that based on a witness’ account, the inmates allegedly paid P1.5 million to agents assigned to regularly search and check the facility.

The witness has already been placed under witness protection program for security reasons.