Bilibid situation back to normal after riot leaves 4 dead: DOJ

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

MANILA – The situation inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City is back to normal following Monday’s scuffle that left four inmates dead, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Tuesday.

In a message to newsmen, Justice Undersecretary and spokesperson Emmeline Aglipay-Villar identified the fatalities in the riot as Ace Pempena, Calvin Tan, Edgar Publico, and Jonathan Rodriguez.

Aglipay-Villar clarified that at the moment, the PDLs in Muntinlupa are not allowed to leave their dorms and only orderlies or inmates assisting jail nurses are allowed to roam.

“Visits have been suspended even prior to the riot because of Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019),” Villar said.

At around 8 a.m. Monday, the scuffle occurred at the NBP’s Maximum Security Compound, prompting a response from personnel of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The incident was between members of the prison gangs Sigue-Sigue Sputnik and Sigue-Sigue Commando.

Aside from the dead, 64 inmates were injured in the riot.

BuCor personnel who were at their offices during the incident were ordered to evacuate the National Headquarters immediately to ensure that no injuries will be inflicted on them, the DOJ said.

Penal colonies were also advised to be on red alert to ensure peace and order within their area of responsibility.

The DOJ added that BuCor Director General Gerald Bantag is on top of the situation and is closely monitoring the incident.