THREE persons deprived of liberty were killed and 64 others were wounded in another riot inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) on Monday, November 9, 2020, exactly one month from the gang riot that killed nine persons inside the same facility.
In a statement, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said a “free for all scuffle” broke out inside the maximum security compound at 8:39 a.m. Monday.
Personnel from BuCor, Special Weapons and Tactics, Special Action Force and Bureau of Fire Protection were deployed to quell the riot while BuCor personnel were ordered to evacuate their offices.
Penal colonies in other parts of the country were advised to go on red alert, BuCor said.
In a separate statement, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he was informed that there were three dead and 64 who were wounded.
He has ordered BuCor to submit a detailed report. He also said he will order the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a parallel investigation or expand its ongoing investigation into the previous riot.
On October 9, 2020, nine were killed when members of the Sputnik and Commando gangs clashed at around 2:30 a.m. in the east quadrant of the maximum security compound.
The riot, which allegedly stemmed from perceived disrespect to an LGBTQ member of one group, was quelled at around 4 a.m., or more than an hour later.
More than a week ago, on October 28, BuCor launched an “Oplan Bura Tatak” campaign to remove gang marks on the prisoners in a bid to eradicate the culture of revenge inside the prison. (Marites Villamor-Ilano/SunStar Philippines)