Traumatized Abu suspects don’t want to return to cells

A week after the bloody Abu Sayyaf jail siege, those left standing remain traumatized by their comrades’ escape try, and how it led to their violent end.

If given a choice, the remaining 107 suspected Abu Sayyaf inmates at the Metro Manila District Jail (MMDJ) at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City say they would rather not be lumped together inside one jail.

Newly installed MMDJ warden Superintendent Danilo Abelinde disclosed yesterday that a majority of the detainees do not want to return to the Special Intensive Care Area (SICA), where 22 inmates were killed after authorities stormed the maximum-security facility last Tuesday.

"They are still in trauma," Abelinde noted. "They said the memory of the bloody assault is still fresh."

Detaining the suspected hardened bandits in one facility has long been criticized as posing a greater risk to security.

Abelinde said it’s possible for the surviving detainees to get what they want "without the need for a court order."

The police-led assault put an end to the 30-hour jailbreak attempt by Abu Sayyaf leaders Alhamser Limbong, alias Kosovo; Ghalib Andang, alias Robot; and Nadzmi Sabdullah, alias Global.

All three died when the smoke cleared, and unfortunately, so did a police officer. The facility where the detainees holed up looked like a war zone in the aftermath.

The detained Abu Sayyaf bandits who made it out alive were spread out between three buildings of the MMDJ to reduce any chance of them regrouping.

The suspects themselves like it better this way, according to Abelinde.

Aside from being able to steer clear of further trouble, they are more comfortable in their temporary detention cells.

Abelinde admitted the inmates at SICA had been complaining of electrical problems and lack of water supply there. The water problem had also kept the price of bottled water and food inside the SICA high. A bottle of water sold inside the maximum-security jail costs P45.

The remaining Abu Sayyaf inmates find it more comfortable in their new cells because "water and electric supplies there are better," Abelinde said. "This is maybe why they want the current setup."

Six of the prison revolt survivors — all from the Abu Sayyaf – were wounded in the assault. Four of them were brought back to their original jail facility two days after the standoff ended.

The other two, identified as Marvin Uyag Hassim, alias Kimkim, and Muktar Ahalul, were only taken back to the MMDJ last Saturday afternoon after their confinement at the Rizal Medical Center in Pasig City.

Hassim sustained a gunshot wounded in the lower right back while Ahalul was hit in his left eye. Both are recuperating at the MMDJ’s infirmary, said Abelinde.

Once they recover, the jail warden said the two will be sent back to jail cells, separate from other Abu Sayyaf members.

As part of the new security measures at the MMDJ, Abelinde has also prohibited the inmates from speaking their native tongue. The mandatory language is now Filipino, he said.