Detained Senator Leila de Lima on Tuesday said law enforcement authorities should find out and address the root cause of the recent riot that happened within the confines of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

De Lima made the remark following the recent violent behavior among Bilibid inmates caused the death of three persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) dead.

The senator said she believes there are greater reasons more than the supposed “petty skirmishes” that led to the said riot and other previous violent incidents.

“More than petty skirmishes, there must be underlying causes for the general restlessness among the Bilibid PDLs that induce violent behavior. Reports reaching my office speak of rampant irregularities, including drug use,” De Lima said in a statement.

“I hope investigators of this latest incident at NBP’s Maximum Security Compound go beyond finding out the culprits who started the riot and punishing them,” she stressed.

Last Jan. 3, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gabriel Chaclag confirmed that three died and 14 PDLs were injured following a riot inside the national penitentiary.

According to Chaclag, the 14 other inmates also sustained injuries from bullets fired from improvised weapons.

Chaclag further confirmed that seven inmates who were believed to have played major parts in the violence have been identified and will receive appropriate disciplinary actions.

De Lima, who consistently sought for much needed reforms in the country’s prison and correctional systems, renewed her push for the passage of measures that would help uphold the rights and dignity of PDLs.

She said it is imperative to ensure that PDLs receive humane treatment while in prison, and at the same time, the government should address prison-based criminality thru structural, organizational and physical reforms.