A riot broke out at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City last Sunday night, Jan. 2. Three persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) died while 14 others were injured.
Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Deputy Director General Gabriel P. Chaclag confirmed on Monday morning, Jan. 3, the deaths of three PDLs which sustained gunshot wounds from improvised firearms.
“Violence started from verbal heckling with adjacent dormitories at the East Quadrant until a gunshot was heard and started exchange of gunshots from improvised FAs (firearms),” Chaclag said.
He said “seven PDLs who were believed to have played major parts in the violence were identified and taken away to an isolation area, and appropriate disciplinary measures will be applied to them.”
“In depth investigation is being done and it is expected more participants in the violence will be identified,” he added.
He said that the incident was placed under control at past 7 p.m. Sunday and “clearing operations ensued until 12 midnight.”
During the clearing operations, the BuCor recovered a caliber .22 revolver with live ammunition, an improvised caliber .45 pistol, two improvised 12-gauge pipe shotguns (“sumpak”), and 16 bladed weapons.
Thereafter, the PDLs surrendered two more improvised 12-gauge pipe guns with live ammunition and a pistol-type weapon that can load 12- gauge shotgun shells.