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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 11) – A convicted drug dealer was among those killed in the riots at the national penitentiary earlier this week, Corrections Office spokesman Gabriel Chaclag confirmed Wednesday.
“In fact, PDL (person deprived of liberty) Calvin Tan was one of the fatalities. He is a Filipino citizen. He was convicted of drug offenses in Cebu, ”Chaclag told a forum in Kapihan sa Manila Bay.
Chaclag said they are not ruling out the possibility that Tan, a member of the Follow Follow Sputnik gang, was a target in the fight.
Four inmates died and another 62 were injured after violence broke out inside New Bilibid prison in the city of Muntinlupa on Monday, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said at the same forum. This follows last month’s riot that left nine inmates dead and another seven injured.
Chaclag said they recovered two pistols from the scene of the last fight, but added that he was not sure if they were smuggled into the prison. They also recovered an improvised pistol and ice picks made from metal parts of buckets and beds.
Too early for admin probe
Guevarra said it is “too early” to say whether they will initiate an administrative investigation against BuCor management led by Gerald Bantag for possible negligence as an investigation is ongoing.
He said he is still waiting for a detailed report from BuCor before making a decision, adding that he will take into consideration the measures officials have taken to prevent unrest.
Chaclag previously said that BuCor continues to discourage inmates from joining gangs inside the prison. One of the office’s most recent initiatives to prevent violence is the removal of tattoos, which are generally associated with rival gangs.
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