5 inmates charged over NBP blast

MANILA, Philippines - Five inmates were charged with attempted murder in connection with the grenade explosion at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) maximum security compound last month.

The attack was reportedly planned by four gang leaders allegedly involved in a power struggle over the control of contraband items in the national penitentiary, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said as it filed criminal charges with the Muntinlupa City prosecutor’s office Friday against Henry Villa, alias Jeffrey Bulusok; Pablo Anora, officer-in-charge of Batang City Jail gang; BCJ member Joseph Mostrales; Jerry Pepino, commander of the Batang Mananalo (Batman) gang; and Ronaldo Torres, head of the Batang Samar Leyte (BSL) gang.

The NBI filed the complaint after its probe showed that the grenade attack at the NBP last Nov. 16 was an alleged attempt by the suspects to topple Froilan Trestiza, commander of the BCJ, who reportedly controls illegal activities in the maximum security compound.

“As a consequence thereof, they would be the ones who will control the illegal activities inside the New Bilibid Prison, like the illegal drugs and liquors trade and kidnapping of inmates’ visitors,” NBI Director Nonnatus Caesar Rojas said in an eight-page transmittal letter.

Evidence

Surveillance camera footage showed Villa positioned meters away from a group of seven inmates were jogging just before 6 a.m. near Building 11. Six inmates were hurt in the blast.

The NBI cited the testimonies of inmates Emelito Sitchon, Nino Garing, and George dela Peña.

Sitchon told investigators he saw Villa throw an object toward the maximum security compound. He said he suddenly heard a loud explosion seconds after Villa lobbed the object.

Sitchon said he tried to call the attention of Villa, who was then trotting toward the direction of Sunlight Chapel, by yelling at him but the suspect ignored him. Sitchon’s statement was corroborated by Garing, who identified Villa as the person walking toward Building 11.

Dela Peña told probers he heard the conversations of Torres, Mostrales and Gerry Pepino, which centered on their plot to bomb the jail in order for them to seize the leadership and control of illegal activities from Trestiza.

Before the blast at the compound happened, Dela Peña said he told probers he heard Anora instructing a certain Torres, through a mobile phone, to get the grenade at a tank early in the morning.

“He (Dela Peña) also cited that he was not surprised when he heard that it was Jeff Bulusok (Villa) who threw the grenade because Jeff Bulusok is a known loyal servant who serves the whims and caprices of Torres,” Rojas said.