The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has sought the assistance of the anthropologists of the University of the Philippines (UP) in the examination of the human remains discovered inside a septic tank at the maximum-security compound of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.
BuCor said that Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. has sent a letter Dr. Nestor T. Carpio, head of UP’s Department of Anthropology.
In his letter, Catapang said that Castro’s department “in in the best position and has the expertise in this field that can help the BuCor in view of the ‘current circumstances’ concerning the persons deprived of liberty.”
Catapang said he had been instructed by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla to set assistance from UP.
The discovery of the human remains was a result of the BuCor’s search for person deprived of liberty (PDL) Michael Angelo Cataroja, 25, who went missing on July 25.
Remulla had earlier said that the decapitated remains of Cataroja was found inside the compound of members of the Sputnik gang inside NBP.
In the search for Cataroja, BuCor said that K9 Task Force of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) led the searchers to the septic tank.
Remulla had said there may be other mass graves inside NBP.
Meanwhile, leaders of PDLs inside NBP’s maximum-security compound sent a manifesto to Catapang and BuCor Deputy Director General Angelina L. Bautista in connection with the death of a PDL as a result of a fight among inmates.
The manifesto expressed dismay that “may mga tao o ibang PDLs pa rin na nais maghasik ng kaguluhan dito sa maximum-security compound na kung iyong iisipin talaga ay plano at gawa gawa ng mga taong naninira at gustong makaupo sa pwesto (there are persons or PDLs who still want to wreak havoc inside the maximum-security compound in their desire to ruin or seek positions).”
“Ang mga lider po dito ay lubusang nalungkot. Sa pagkakataong ito ay buong galang at taos puso po kami humihingi ng paumanhin sa inyo at ito po ay papatunayan namin sa inyo ang aming tapat at tunay na sensiridad na pagtulong sa inyo at sa inyong programa para kabutihan at kapakanan ng lahat ng PDLs (The leaders are very sad. We take this opportunity to respectfully and wholeheartedly offer our apology which we will sincerely prove by helping you in your programs for the good and welfare of PDLs),” the manifesto also stated.
“Ipagpapatuloy po namin ang pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan, kaayusan at kalinisan dito sa aming bawat nasasakupan (We will continue to maintain peace, order and cleanliness in our compound),” it added.