BJMP-6 probes stabbing inside provincial jail

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – Investigators from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-6 have started investigating the possible negligence of jail personnel that resulted in the stabbing incident among inmates inside the Iloilo Provincial Integrated Jail in Pototan town Wednesday.

A BJMP-6 source said the probe will center on the presumption that there was negligence on the part of some jail personnel and provincial guards. “If there was no negligence, how come bladed weapons made their way into the hands of the inmates,” the source said.

Last Saturday, an initial investigation was done among inmates involved in the stabbing incident, which wounded two inmates, following a conflict among them in connection with the loss of Miami Heat to the Dallas Mavericks in Game 4 of the NBA finals.

“The BJMP-6 wanted to know if proper searches were conducted and that inmates were confined on areas where they are allowed,” the source said, adding that probers would also look into the possible connivance between the guards and the inmates, allowing deadly weapons, mobile phones and other banned items into the cells.

After the stabbing incident, IPIJ warden Joel Superficial had prohibited all inmates of Cells 51 and 53 to leave. A search operation for contraband was also conducted in all cells, resulting in the seizure of four improvised deadly weapons, four cellular phones, and 15 steel pipes. (FREEMAN)