More mass graves in Bilibid eyed

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities are looking into at least three mass graves inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP)’s maximum security compound alone following the discovery of a severed body of a missing inmate, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla reported yesterday.

The excavation of supposed mass graves was conducted after a 25-year-old inmate, Michael Cataroja, was reported missing since July 15.

Remulla said NBP personnel have found Cataroja’s decapitated body at the Sputnik compound.

Authorities are still searching for Cataroja’s head in a septic tank at the NBP where human bones have been recovered.

“Ang tingin namin diyan, may dalawang mass graves pa kaming mahahanap sa loob ng maximum security compound: two septic tanks at may isa pang site kung saan magyi-yield pa ng ibang human remains (We think we will find two more mass graves inside the maximum security compound: two septic tanks and another site that may yield more human remains),” Remulla said in a televised interview.

During their search for Cataroja, the National Bureau of Investigation and K9 Force of the Philippine Coast Guard discovered severed body parts in a septic tank in Bilibid.

NBP Superintendent Angelina Bautista earlier said they could not yet determine the number of people whose remains were found in the septic tank.

Cataroja was committed to the NBP in July 2022 after he was sentenced to up to 20 years in prison for violating the anti-fencing law.

He also has a pending car theft case before the Antipolo City Regional Trial Court Branch 71.

According to Remulla, Cataroja was known to be “feeble-minded” and has lots of debt.

Remulla said more human remains may be discovered as authorities continue digging through other suspected mass graves at the NBP.

He admitted that it would be difficult to determine when and for how long those remains have been kept in the septic tanks.

The Department of Justice hopes to tap forensic anthropologists, but authorities may need to slow down the search for more bodies to allow experts to establish a time capsule.

Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. is expected to submit a comprehensive report on the matter today, according to Remulla.

Red code status lifted

Meanwhile, the red code status at the NBP was lifted yesterday, but visitation rights remain suspended until further notice, according to the BuCor.

Catapang ordered the lifting of the red code status, which was imposed after a shooting inside the maximum security compound occurred on July 25.

One inmate was stabbed dead while nine others were wounded after a prisoner opened fire.

Investigation showed that the shooting stemmed from an altercation between two inmates belonging to rival groups Bahala na Gang and Batang City Jail.

Authorities are investigating whether the shooting and the stabbing incidents were related.

The cancellation of leaves of jail security officers has also been lifted.