Bilibid inmate beaten to death after running amuck

A prison guard watches over the New Bilibid Prison’s maximum security compound yesterday. Jail officials tightened security at the compound after two inmates were killed over the past two weeks. MANNY MARCELO

MANILA, Philippines - A murder convict who ran amuck was beaten to death while another ws wounded in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) maximum security compound yesterday morning.

Prison officials are still investigating why Raul Ruvares, 47, of the Sigue-Sigue Sputnik gang, suddenly brandished his Swiss knife, which caused panic among his fellow inmates.

“They were just talking when he suddenly went amuck,” NBP officer-in-charge Superintendent Richard Schwarzkopf said.

This prompted the other prisoners to attack Ruvares, who later died of severe head injuries in the NBP hospital.

His fellow gang member, Mark Anthony Armoganda, 26, was stabbed in the arm during the ruckus, Schwarzkopf said. Three people are being investigated for Ruvares’ death.

When asked where Ruvares got his knife, Schwarzkopf said “there are many ways to smuggle in small items.”

Last week, a member of the Sigue-Sigue Sputnik gang died and three inmates were wounded after a basketball game sparked a riot in the maximum security compound between the group and Commando gang.

Schwarzkopf said tighter security measures will be imposed for the inmates.

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