BuCor chief clears Jalosjos

Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director Ricardo Macala denied yesterday reports that an inmate of the National Bilibid Prisons (NBP) was shot by former Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Romeo Jalosjos.

Macala was reacting to reports that a certain Marcos de Guzman was shot by Jalosjos last Saturday night. De Guzman was reported to be the former solon’s bodyguard inside the NBP.

Macala admitted that De Guzman was injured but only as a result of a stray bullet originating from an unknown source.

He revealed that the incident took place while Jalosjos, De Guzman and a number of other inmates were walking back toward their dormitories after attending Mass at the NBP chapel at around 8 p.m.

De Guzman, who was walking in front of the group, suddenly felt a sharp pain in his left thigh, forcing him to stop and examine the source of pain.

He was surprised to see blood coming out of his thigh and was immediately carried by three of his fellow inmates to the infirmary for treatment.

Macala added that it was Jalosjos who asked that De Guzman be transferred to the Muntinlupa Medical Center, where the facilities are better.

He also said the three men who carried De Guzman served as witnesses to the incident and that they all claimed to have heard no gunshots.

When asked about the possibility of the bullet originating from inside the NBP, Macala quickly dismissed this and admitted that he has not even thought about checking the firearms of the prison guards.

Jalosjos is serving two life sentences for the rape of a minor while he was still a congressman. – Marvin Sy