Jailed Abu suspects howl over spilled Ramadan food

MANILA, Philippines - Suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorists held a noise barrage in the Metro Manila District Jail (MMDJ) yesterday after jail guards cut open packed food brought in by their family for Ramadan.

The tension started about 2 p.m. and was quelled shortly before 5 p.m., according to the detainees’ wives. “They wanted to open everything – even junk food, coffee and juice powder in sachet packs – over fears that we will bring in contraband. But these are from the factory,” said one wife, who declined to be identified.

“If these are opened, then our husbands must eat or drink them all in one day. Just how are they going to do that?” another wife added.

The wives talked to The STAR, while showing that most of the powered coffee and juice cut open by the jail guards have contaminated the bread and other food they brought.

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology’s director Rosendo Dial said the incident took place in MMDJ’s special intensive care area, where most of the suspected terrorists are detained.

He said most of the Muslim detainees are “demanding” that they celebrate Ramadan with their loved ones. “They are also refusing to our mandatory inspection for all the food that they will bring inside,” Dial said over the phone. “We cannot allow that.”

He explained that they tightened security at the jail to avoid a repeat of the 2005 riot in MMDJ led by Abu Sayyaf detainees. At least 17 terrorists died, while five policemen were injured.

Dial said they are still investigating who started the noise barrage but said they will not punish him out of respect for the Muslim holy month.