Five inmates die of electrocution

Death came at dawn for five inmates of the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center (BBRC), who were electrocuted while sleeping in their cell.

The fatalities were identified as Roberto Caballes, 21, of barangay Ermita; Mike Restauro, 19, of Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City; Nestor Luna, 52, of Barangay Sto Niño; Rustom Cuervo, 36, of Barangay Ermita; and Sesinando Abala, 33, of Barangay Mabolo.

Six others in the same cell survived the ordeal without any major injury. All five who died, slept on the floor of the cell while those who survived slept on hammocks fashioned out of blankets.

The five were declared dead on arrival at the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) where they were brought after the incident that occurred at past 3:00 o'clock dawn.

The six who survived were Romulo Marinay, Rico Magdasal, Joel Suralta, Michael Bucales, Claro Pacadar Jr., and Manuel Elma.

Jail Officer 1 Neil Rosaroso, investigator of BBRC, said the six inmates who survived were in good condition and did not sustain any burns.

Rosaroso also said, the five fatalities failed to survive the rush of electric current because they lay on the cement floor without shirts.

"Naghukas man gud ni sila unya gipangsingot ba," Rosaroso said.

Four of the victims - Caballes, Restauro, Luna and Cuervo, were just committed to the BBRC last Monday for crimes ranging from attempted homicide, theft and violation of Republic Act (RA) 9165 otherwise known as Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Abala, who landed in jail for possession of illegal drugs, had just been transferred at the security cell upon his request because of his plan to put up bail to gain temporary liberty.

Marinay, who is one of those who survived, is an electrician and was the first to notice the electric current when he felt the surge in his body. He immediately cut the live wire that touched the steel grills, but it was too late to save the others.

BBRC warden Efren Nemeño said that when Marinay noticed the wire touching the iron grills, the five victims were already unconscious.

Based on the investigation, it appears that Magdasal might have caused the accident because early that night he was busy setting up his own hammock.

"Tingale natandog ang wire didto sa kisame ug natanday sa rehas", Rosaroso said.

Inmates use the electrical wires that hang out of the ceilings of the jail facility to tap power for the electric fans and lights.

Magdasal is believed to be suffering from a mental problem, but Rosaroso said he will have to investigate it further.

Regional director Benito Dorego of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology sent another team of investigators to BBRC to look into the incident and the possible negligence of the city jail management.

Dorego said he ordered chief inspector Niel Abesado to supervise the investigation along with BJMP operations chief Cesar Balderas. Dorego said he was surprised to learn about the incident.

According to Dorego, they repaired the wiring of the BBRC last March using funds from the Philippine National Red Cross.

Cebu City Vice-Mayor Michael Rama, who immediately went to the BBRC to inspect the jail after the incident, tapped Dakay Construction and Development Corporation to check the wiring.

Rama found out that the wiring inside the city jail were exposed to the ceiling because of the many secondary lines laid out by the inmates to get power for their electric fans.