Overcrowding blamed for deaths of 6 Cainta inmates

Overcrowding at the municipal jail of Cainta, Rizal was blamed for the recent deaths of six inmates and hospitalization of eight others.

Local officials of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) admitted that they are helpless in solving the problem and that their request for a bigger detention facility has fallen on deaf ears.

Senior Inspector Randel Latoza, the Cainta jail warden, said the local jail was built to accommodate only at least 100 inmates, but it is presently housing 240 inmates, 35 of them women and children.

Latoza said most of the inmates who died had complained of difficulty in breathing and jaundice.

He said inmates Ronald Salado and Juan Rafael were the last two ones who died last Aug. 8 and 9, respectively.

"We are still waiting for the official findings of the doctors who autopsied their bodies," said Latoza, who took over as jail warden only last July.

Since March, four other inmates — Alfredo San Miguel, Joey Lumbes, Robert Lorsito and Ronnie Rivera — also passed away inside their cells.

Eight other inmates — Rasul Kawali, Gilbert Ismabe, Carlito Barieta, Rex Valenzuela, Gaudencio Castillo, Lando Gumamela, Rico Reyes and Efren Espedido — have been treated in a local health clinic for jaundice.

The local jail administration, Latoza said, has proposed to Cainta Mayor Mon Ilagan the construction of an additional detention cell to decongest the present facility.

"If this project pushes through, it will be a relief for the inmates," he said, noting that even minor offenders share cells with hardened criminals.