Restless in Dorm 13

An estimated 2,000 inmates housed in Dormitory 13 of the National Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City are growing restless and are threatening to hold a noise barrage if the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) fails to immediately lift the suspension of visitation rights.

BuCor Director Dionisio Santiago told The STAR yesterday the inmates, mostly belonging to the Genuine Ilocano Group (GIG) might threaten to disrupt the peace and order in Dormitory 13 over the suspension of visits.

Even the wives of several inmates have written a letter Santiago requesting that he restore their visiting privileges, arguing they should not be punished for the mistakes committed by one Chinese inmate.

But Santiago said he would not be easily intimidated or swayed.

"They should not pressure me. I will know when to repeal the order. I know when they will break down. We will lift the suspension in due time. Let them wait."

He clarified, however, that the protest action is not really against him. "I heard they plan to hold a noise barrage to air their grievances, but their action is not against us, but more directed to the current GIG leader."

The inmates are said to be clamoring for a new GIG leadership and asked for the director’s permission to hold an election. It appears the GIG wants their bosyo, or overall gang leader Nestor Cabanit replaced because he has been incompetent in protecting them and they now have lost confidence in him.

It can be recalled the Bucor chief barred visitors from talking to their husbands last week as a form of punishment after some 30 grams of shabu were confiscated from Chinese inmate Peter Co, who is housed in the same building housing the protesting inmates.

Co was caught in a pot session with two other Chinese detainees from Dormitory 1, the death row building.

The wives also proposed that the Chinese detainees in Building 13 be transferred to Building 14.

Santiago said this was an odd request because "in the past, Filipino inmates usually want to share dormitories with Chinese inmates so they can enjoy perks like food and even money.

"But now, it seems don’t want them in the same cell because they are the ones being punished," he said.