4 inmates killed in Davao jail raid

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Four inmates were killed when they allegedly refused to be searched during a surprise inspection at the Davao City jail in Barangay Ma-a here on Saturday.

The fatalities were identified as Alvin Celis, Dexter Delfrino, Flor Leonard Restsuro and Jerry Fernandez. They died while being treated in a hospital.

Four police officers – Police Officer 3 Mark Anthony Cameros, PO2 Jonie dela Fuente and PO1s Vincent Lomoljo and Ramon Rey Uyanguren – suffered stab wounds during the incident that occurred at around 10 a.m.

The inmates reportedly refused to come out of their cell located in the annex area of the facility when they were asked to undergo inspection and submit   urine samples.

One of them reportedly took out an improvised gun and shot Cameros, who survived as he was wearing a bullet-proof vest.

The three other inmates reportedly attacked the officers with  bladed weapons, prompting the jail guards to shoot them.

The inspection was conducted by agents of the Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology following the recovery of illegal drugs from the inmates and their visitors in the past few days.

Southern Mindanao regional police director Chief Superintendent Marcelo Morales said the inspection started at 3 a.m.

At least nine inmates tested positive for drugs during the raid.