3 inmates dead, 14 hurt in Bilibid riot

MANILA, Philippines — Three inmates died and 14 others were injured after a riot broke out at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa on Sunday night, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) reported yesterday.

Prison officials said they have yet to identify the fatalities and those injured in the riot, which occurred at around 7:10 p.m.

Initial reports said the three inmates died of gunshots to the body. But according to sources in Bilibid, the fatalities also suffered stab wounds.

BuCor spokesman Gabriel Chaclag said a Quick Response Team immediately responded and secured the NBP’s East Quadrant.

Chaclag said weapons were confiscated from the inmates following the brawl.

“The situation is under control,” he said.

Chaclag said the violence started from verbal heckling with adjacent dormitories at the East Quadrant until a gunshot was heard followed by an exchange of gunfire.

Recovered during the clearing operations were a .22-caliber handgun, an improvised .45-caliber pistol, two improvised 12-gauge pipe guns, an improvised shotgun and 16 bladed weapons.

Seven inmates believed to have played a major role in the riot were identified and taken to an isolation area, according to Chaclag.

“Disciplinary actions will be imposed on them. An in-depth investigation is being conducted and we expect that more participants in the violence will be identified,” he said.