BuCor chief launches probe on Bilibid escape try

Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director Vicente Vinarao said a thorough investigation is being conducted to determine those responsible for the attempted escape of four inmates from the National Bilibid Prisons (NBP) maximum security compound last Sunday morning.

All four inmates were killed in a shootout with police and prison guards at around 6 a.m.

Vinarao led an ocular inspection yesterday of the NBP compound to check on the reported lapses and deficiencies in terms of the area’s security measures.

The BuCor chief said he intends to find out the extent of negligence on the part of on-duty guards, especially those assigned to Building 14.

"It is really suspicious that the inmates were able to reach the Field Operations Detachment and were not spotted by guards who serve as a back-up team during emergency cases," Vinarao said in an interview. "If we find proof that they were negligent, we will file an administrative case or even a case of gross misconduct against erring personnel."

Killed during the escape attempt were inmates Edgar Macarse, Rolando Paraiso and Julio Deloritos, who were shot in various parts of the body.

All three had been serving sentences from six years to life imprisonment for robbery with homicide and robbery in band.

The fourth inmate, identified as Damaso Job was captured, but was also killed when he tried to kick one of the guards in an attempt to escape anew.

Two jail guards were wounded as an inmate opened fire at them using a gun from a disarmed guard. Both are undergoing treatment at the Muntinlupa Medical Center.

Another jail guard suffered head and body injuries after being beaten up by the inmates.

NBP Superintendent Juanito Leopando said the inmates grabbed the jail guard’s Armalite rifle and beat him up. They managed to leave the prison premises and sought refuge at the Everest Memorial Park in Susana Heights, Muntinlupa City.

According to Vinarao, there are around 7,000 inmates in the maximum security compound of the NBP.

Meanwhile, Sen. Manny Villar, chairman of the committee on public order and illegal drugs, called on jail authorities to further investigate what really transpired during the jailbreak at the maximum security compound of the NBP.

"They should further investigate how the jailbreak was staged and identify the mastermind behind the attempt," Villar said. "We should not rule out also the possibility of negligence on the part of the jail guards on duty during the jailbreak. If that were the case, erring jail guard should be reprimanded, if not penalized."

Following the Camp Bagong Diwa siege last March, Villa filed a Senate resolution to investigate the incident. He slammed the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) for lapses in its prison security measures.

He said then that there should be stiffer penalties for jail officers involved in jailbreak incidents.

Villar also filed Senate Bill 682 that seeks to increase the penalty for violation of infidelity in the custody of prisoners both with respect to connivance with or consent particularly in cases where the escape was made for money or other considerations.

"I am reiterating my call for reforms within the BJMP and all the prison facilities all over the country, particularly in the area of security. I already filed a bill calling for the institution of prison reforms and the imposition of stricter penalty for violation," he said.

Villar noted the "laxity in our correctional system" and has recommended a "periodic and systematic inventory" of all prisoners. – Rhodina Villanueva