READ: IN PHOTOS: Drug lords, murderers, and high living in Bilibid.

Philippine officials see for themselves the lavish and gaudy abodes of 19 inmates in the Maximum Security Compound of the New Bilibid PrisonMANILA, Philippines – For some prisoners, life was really more fun in the Philippines – even behind bars.

In an operation that rattled a nation already used to scandalous tales of corruption, Philippine officials saw for themselves the lavish and sometimes, gaudy abodes of 19 inmates in the Maximum Security Compound of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.

During the operation, government authorities confiscated over P1 million in cash during body searches of 16 convicts.

Police also found a gamut of other things that are supposedly not allowed inside Bilibid: “shabu” and other illegal drugs, firearms, drug paraphernalia, firearms, flat screen TVs, sex toys, pornography, luxury items, and even a stripper bar and Jacuzzi spread. (READ: Crime lord enjoys jailhouse rock)

The inspection, held in the wee hours of the morning on Monday, December 15, was led by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. De Lima inspected the prison again on Friday, December 19. (Editor's note: Rappler obtained these photos from government authorities)

The plan began sometime in 2013 when several Philippine law enforcement and investigative agencies worked together to check and put a stop to the suspected illegal activities inside the prison: the use of illegal drugs, smuggling of contraband items, and corruption of jail personnel.

More than 300 operatives from different government agencies entered the maximum security prison on Monday, leading to the extraction of the 19 “high profile” or “high risk” inmates: