The New Bilibid Prison (NBP) has started an investigation on the Friday dawn gang riot in the prison facility that killed nine inmates and injured seven others.
Six of the casualties are members of Sputnik Gang, two from Commando Gang, and one from a still unidentified group. The rampage happened in the east quadrant of the NBP where there are still COVID-19 cases.
“Initial na report may mga stab wounds, may wounds na caused by blunt objects at hindi naman confirmed ‘yung gunshot wounds narinig natin na sabi nila, pero wala pa (The initial report indicates that there are stab wounds and wounds caused by blunt objects, while the reported gunshot wounds have not yet been confirmed),” Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Spokesperson Gabriel Chaclag reported.
“Sa ngayon ay hinihintay pa natin ang official report ng ating health service (We are currently waiting for the official report of our health service),” Chaclag added.
The NBP said it will also investigate the alleged stabbing incident last Wednesday and the personal dispute between some members of the involved gangs.
“Maraming version ‘yan. Ang nasabi nga natin na ang sabi ng isang grupo ay sila ang sinugod, sabi naman ng isang grupo sila lamang ay nag-defend ng kanilang sarili (There are many versions. One group said they were attacked, while the other claimed it was self-defense),” Chaclag disclosed.
“Tinitingnan natin ‘yan at ‘di po tayo titigil hanggang hindi natin nakikita ang linaw ng insidenteng ito (We will look into those claims and we will not stop until there are no clear answers),” Chaclag added.
Injured inmates are currently staying at the NBP Hospital while security measures have been tightened in the entire compound. The inmates’ families have also been informed of the incident.
The riot was immediately contained with the help of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has immediately ordered BuCor Dir. Gerald Bantag to investigate the incident.
– Report from Ryan Lesigues
