2 dead, 4 hurt in prison brawls

MANILA, Philippines - At least two inmates were killed while four others were hurt in separate brawls Wednesday night.

Chief Inspector Giovanni Martinez, intelligence unit chief of Muntinlupa police, said Edwin Soriano was stabbed by a barbecue stick when a scuffle erupted at the New Bilibid Prison while the inmates were playing basketball at around 6:10 p.m.

Rodolfo Eudiate, Ramonchito Guiralde, Rogelio Malonzo and Valeriano Amestuso were injured when hit by rocks thrown during the rumble.

At the Quezon City Jail, an inmate was killed when another detainee hit him with a piece of wood.

Jail warden Superintendent Joseph Vela said Edgardo Liwag, 35, was hit in the head.

Vela said Regie Reyes, 29, who is detained for kidnap-for-ransom charges, hit Liwag after the victim allegedly tried to stab him.

Reyes reportedly confronted Liwag for telling other inmates that they would fight with another gang.

Vela said an investigation as to how the victim’s weapon was smuggled into the jail is underway.

“Since I assumed office, I have constantly ordered the inspection of cells to search for contrabands,” the jail warden said.

He said detainees have become ingenuous in smuggling and concealing weapons and other contrabands.

Vela said a thorough search of the jail, which he earlier ordered, resulted in the discovery of weapons hidden under the concrete ground. – Aie Balagtas See, Reinir Padua