4 inmates dead, 11 hurt in Quezon jail riot

MANILA, Philippines - Four inmates were killed while 11 others were wounded after an inmate who was due for transfer to another jail encouraged other detainees to initiate violent resistance inside the Quezon provincial jail in Lucena City yesterday.

The fatalities were identified as Manolito Palma, Christian Contemplacion, Jose Umali Escasa and Gary Enguerra.

Authorities said inmate Antonio Satumba, 29, leader of the Sigue-sigue Sputnik gang who instigated the riot, was unhurt and transferred to the district jail.

Lucena City police chief Superintendent Allen Rae Co said the violence started at around 9:15 a.m. when some jail guards were about to transfer Satumba, who is facing murder charges.

As the group escorting Satumba was about to leave, several inmates took turns on hitting the guards, triggering the violence. 

Senior Superintendent Ronald Ylagan, Quezon police director, said the timely response of the local police prevented more casualties and the escape of other inmates.

Ylagan said authorities recovered two improvised handguns and a .22 caliber. – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Michelle Zoleta, Ed Amoroso