Another riot erupts inside Bilibid – BuCor

Another riot erupted inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City on Monday, the Bureau of Corrections said.

“On or about 0839H, a free for all scuffle occurred at the maximum compound,” BuCor said in a Facebook post.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Immediate response from BuCor, PNP-SWAT, PNP-SAF, and BFP personnel were deployed. BuCor personnel who were at the offices during the incident were ordered to evacuate the National Headquarters immediately to ensure that no injuries will be inflicted to them,” it added.

BuCor also advised the Penal colonies to be on Red Alert to ensure peace and order within their areas of responsibility.

“Investigation will be conducted to identify the cause of incident. Disciplinary measures will be imposed to those who are responsible,” BuCor said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Last month, nine inmates were killed in a riot inside the Bilibid.

Those killed were six members of the Sputnik Gang, two from its rival group, Commando, and one from an unidentified group, the Southern Police District said. Seven other detainees were injured.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra ordered the immediate relief and preventive suspension of all BuCor officials and personnel “who appear to be administratively liable for their negligence.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Another riot erupts inside Bilibid

In October, BuCor launched “Oplan Bura Tatak,” a BuCor chief director general Gerald Bantag project that aimed to cover inmates’ tattoos at the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP), showing which group they belong to avoid trouble in prison.

“May mga nag-aaway pero hindi katulad noong may mga pangkat. Kapag nasaktan ang isang pangkat, gaganti naman. Nagbabaka sakali tayo na ‘yong culture of violence ng pangkat ay at least mabawasan kung hindi man mawala nang tuluyan,” Bantag said.

All inmates or persons deprived of liberty are said to be required to participate in the program. Only tattoos or marks of their group will be covered.

According to the research of Griffith University in 2014, it is common practice for Philippine prisons to operate under a system of shared governance.
In this type of arrangement,  leaders help to maintain internal control and safeguard inmates as best they can. Even though prison stability is fragile, gang leaders help correctional officers restore order quickly once disorder occurs.