Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. said the recent violence that led to the death of a person deprived of liberty (PDL) and injuries to other inmates at the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City was instigated by “certain persons.”
However, Catapang – during an interview on DZBB on Monday, July 31, did not reveal the names of the “certain persons” pending his report to the Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla. BuCor is an agency of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Last July 25, a fight broke out inside NBP’s maximum-security compound. It resulted in the death of PDL who was identified as Alvin Barba and injuries to nine other PDLs -- Ampatuan Misuari, Emmanuel Carino, Makakna Iman, Marlon Cepe, Bernand Marfilla, Franklin Siquijor, Joner Moralde, Heron Supitran and Ardie Severa.
Last July 26, the BuCor recovered the decapitated remains of PDL Michael Angelo Cataroja who had been missing since July 15.
The search for Cataroja led to the discovery of human remains inside a septic tank of NBP’s maximum-security-compound. BuCor has sought the assistance of the University of the Philippines’ Department of Anthropology to help in the examination of the remains.
“Sa pagrereview ko mukhang may masasamang elemento na gusto tayo sirain ‘yung ating pagsasamahan kaya nilalaliman ko po ang aking imbestigasyon (In my review, there seems to be bad elements who want to ruin our relationship with inmates that’s why I conducted a deeper investigation),” Catapang said.
“Ngayon meron naman ako magandang balita o leads kung sino ang mga ‘yan pero hindi ko muna maisisiwalat sa inyo kasi irereport ko muna kay Sec. Remulla (Now I have good news or lead on who these people are but I won’t publicly reveal them yet until I made my report to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla),” he said.