DOJ orders probe on Bilibid gangs riot

FILE: New Bilibid Prison (Photo By Jovie Naval via Bureau of Corrections/Website)

MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has asked prison officials to probe the riot that broke inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City early Friday, leaving nine persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) dead.

“I have asked BuCor (Bureau of Corrections) Director General Gerald Bantag to investigate and submit a report as soon as possible,” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra told reporters.

An initial report from the Southern Police District said at least seven members of the Sputnik Gang and two from the Commando Gang were killed in the clash inside the east quadrant of the NBP’s maximum security compound.

In a radio interview, BuCor spokesperson Gabriel Chaclag said the brawl started around 2:30 a.m. and lasted up to 4 a.m. Friday morning.

He said group leaders of the warring gangs would be called to identify the persons responsible for the incident.

Around 18,000 inmates are detained at the national penitentiary.

Once identified, those responsible for instigating the trouble could face demerits on their good conduct time allowance credits as well as isolation to prevent further influencing other inmates, Chaclag said.