FOUR officials of the National Biibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City have been relieved following a stabbing incident inside the national penitentiary that resulted in the death of one inmate and the wounding of two others last January 2.
Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. also announced that C/Insp. Louie Rodelas, Corrections Officers 1 Christian Alonzo and Joshua Mondres, and Glicerio Cinco Jr. will be under preventive suspension while an investigation on the incident is underway.
Rodelas was the acting commander of the prison guards at the time of the incident.
Catapang said the stabbing incident raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of the security measures being implemented by Bilibid officials to prevent such incidents and to protect inmates under its supervision.
“This situation indicates a lapse in our operations, resulting in the death of person deprived of liberty Ricardo Peralta and the wounding of two others PDLs – Reginal Lacuerta and Bert Cupada. It is essential that we hold individuals accountable for these failures,” Catapang said, hinting that more Bilibid officials might suffer the same fate if the investigation uncovers lapses on their part.
“Our personnel should be on alert and vigilant to enhance the safety protocols that govern the custody and management of inmates anytime of the day,” he said.
Catapang earlier asked the Commission on Human Rights to conduct a parallel probe on the incident “to further establish the facts, promote transparency, and determine accountability.”
The BuCor leadership has also asked the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police to conduct a similar investigation.
Catapang has directed superintendents of all operating prison and penal farms across the country to take precautionary measures to prevent a repeat of the incident.
“To prevent any untoward incident while the incident is being investigated, the Bucor headquarters directed all superintendents of OPPFs to take precautionary measures at their respective OPPFs to ensure the safety of both PDLs and staff,” Catapang said.
Aside from the NBP, BuCor also operates the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City, Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Palawan, Davao Prison and Penal Farm, Leyte Regional Prison, Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Sablayan, Oriental Mindoro, and San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga City.
