Amerasian inmate killed in QC jail riot

An Amerasian was killed and another inmate was injured after a riot broke out the other day at the Quezon City Jail.

Hughes Reed, alias "Black Jack", 23, of Winston Street, Phase 8, North Fairview, died at around 8:15 p.m. Tuesday while undergoing surgery at the East Avenue Medical Center for a gunshot wound in the head.

Another inmate identified as Gerry Baylon, 19, of 102 Marcos Compound, Barangay Pasong Tamo, sustained a bullet wound in the left ankle.

Investigation showed the riot broke out at around 4:15 p.m., involving jail guards and members of the Sigue-Sigue Sputnik Gang.

City Jail officer-in-charge Superintendent Edwardson Tagaoc said that the incident was a result of an altercation between Jail Officer Roger Melanio and inmate Ariston Vargas, a member of the Sputnik Gang.

Melanio, who was off-duty, and Vargas were reportedly taking turns singing at a videoke machine at the second floor of the jail, located at the back of the Central Police District-Station 10 in Kamuning along EDSA, while the other inmates were having their recreational time at the quadrangle.

At some point, however, the two fought over the microphone, resulting in a fistfight.

SJO1 David Jambales tried to pacify the two and when Vargas was invited for questioning, the inmate reportedly refused and showed disrespect to the jail guards on duty, police records said. – Nikko Dizon