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Long period without visitation rights may have sparked Bilibid riot

Philippines | National

Long period without visitation rights may have sparked Bilibid riot

By Dhel Nazario

Unease from months without visitation rights may have sparked the recent riot that killed four inmates in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City on Monday.

The New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa
(Jonathan Hicap / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

In a radio interview with DZMM, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Spokesperson Gabriel Chaclag said that four were killed in the brawl while 60 were injured. Twenty of which were brought to hospitals outside NBP to receive proper medical attention. None of them were in serious condition.

Since March, visitation was suspended due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

"Ilan buwan na pong walang dalaw. Kahit konting girian lang ay nagkakaroon ng matinding effect sa kanilang mga grupo. (Visitation has not been allowed for months. A little disagreement creates a severe effect within the groups)," Chaclag said.

Because of this, three days ago, Chaclag added that BuCor Chief Director General Gerald Bantag has allowed reformation activities such as religious services to resume on a limited scale. They are also looking to possibly allow sports activities.

BuCor also has electronic dalaw and allows inmates to have phone calls but Chaclag said that physical interaction is still different.

Monday's riot according to Chaclag was started by small groups, when a member of the Sigue Sigue Commando (SSC) gang who was just sitting got stabbed.

This then led to retaliation by other groups that resulted in the free for all scuffle that prompted members of the BuCor Special Weapons and Tactics (BuCor-SWAT) to take action but they were met by gunfire.

This was when BuCor asked assistance from law enforcement partners. Part of their investigation is to determine how the PDLs got their hands on firearms.

This riot comes just a month after the brawl between the Sigue Sigue Sputnik (SSS) and Sigue Sigue Commando (SSC) gangs that occurred inside the NBP which claimed nine lives.

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