Inmate attacked in jail for verbal harassment

CEBU, Philippines - A commotion erupted inside the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) yesterday morning after a group of dancing inmates attacked their fellow prisoner.

The inmates reportedly attacked the supposed victim, Carillo Balueza, 26, after the latter allegedly harassed them verbally during a practice of their dance routine. The incident happened around 9:30 at the CPDRC quadrangle, the area where the performances are being held.

Because of what happened, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia cancelled the scheduled performance at 3pm today.

Balueza allegedly started saying profanities at the practicing inmates after he escaped from his “brigade.” This irked the group and prompted the inmates to attack Balueza, putting the entire practice to a stop.

Jose Marie Gastardo, Capitol Consultant on Security, said other inmates tried to intervene but to no avail. The crowd dispersed only after a jail guard fired a warning shot into the air.

Balueza had to be brought to the jail infirmary where his minor injuries were tended to while the other inmates were sent back to their respective cells.

Balueza is in jail for a murder charge.

Gastardo said an investigation will be opened to determine if there were security lapses on the part of CPDRC officials.

Elements of the Cebu Provincial Police Office and the Guadalupe Police Station also responded to the incident but were not allowed to enter the facility until Gastardo arrived. The Cebu City Police Office also sent a response team to CPDRC. — (FREEMAN)