|
One person was
killed as absolute control and management of the Bohol Detention and Rehabilitation
Center (BDRC) was regained by provincial jail authorities yesterday following
a swift pre-emptive strike by a composite team of the Bohol Provincial Police
Office, the PNP Regional Special Reaction Unit and the Philippine Army.
The
composite team struck at the break of dawn yesterday while most of the 315 BDRC
inmates still sleeping at their detention cells.
An
inmate, identified as Nilo Corbita of barangay Bantolinao, Antequera was shot
twice at close range to the head after an alleged attempt to resist the operatives
by drawing a .38 caliber pistol.
The
two gunshots, one to the left eyebrow and another to the chin, instantly killed
Corbito who was using the BDRC kitchen as his quarters. Police investigators said
there was no evidence that the victim was able to return fire.
Since
the BDRC inmates held a riot last April 13, the detention facility had been run
by the prisons' council of elders who, most of the time, prevailed over the jailguards.
Even
after iron bars of the 25 detention cells were repaired, the inmates were still
free to roam around the jail's premises as their cells do not have padlocks.
Last
week, reports already reached the Chronicle of threats of a mass jailbreak which
prompted Jail Warden Raul Mendez to place the facility on "double red alert
status". |
| | Before
yesterday's operation, which was led by Provincial Police Director SSupt. Edgardo
Ingking, the composite team was already briefed on intelligence information that
some of the prisoners were armed of handguns, bladed weapons and improvised sling
shot and arrows (commonly known as Indian pana).
These
were later recovered by the operatives including prohibited drugs.
The
operation had to be executed early yesterday when the civilian visitors went home,
according to Pernia. | LAW
AND ORDER RESTORED
The
operation to neutralize the inmates, which started around 4:-- a.m., lasted less
than 10 minutes, Provincial Government Media Affairs head Antonietto Pernia told
the Chronicle.
"The
marching order of Gov. Erico Aumentado was to restore discipline at the BDRC,
institute reforms and implement jail rules," Pernia said.
Yesterday's
operation was necessary in order to carry out the governor's orders, Pernia said.
According
to Pernia, while the governor expressed relief for the successful operation, he
"felt sad that it had taken the life of an inmate "and also asked for
"a complete report" on the cause of death and the use of force against
the slain inmate.
Aumentado
had vowed to confront the problem at BDRC after he was informed last Friday over
dyRD's top-rated Tagbilaran-By-Nite (TBN) regarding demands of prisoners and their
threats of "a bloodbath" if BDRC authorities insist to send two of their
fellow inmates to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.
For
the first time since April 13, the 25 detention cells were already padlocked,
according to Ingking, after the joint operatives swept and searched through the
prison facility to recover weapons.
For
over six hours, the 300 male inmates were also lined-up with hands tied behind
their back and individually frisked at the BDRC quadrangle.
It
was only about noontime yesterday that all prisoners were sent back inside their
cells. The 25 cells had 12 inmates each, according to Ingking.
"Everyone
is accounted for and their cells have been thoroughly searched," he said.
The
provincial police chief assured that there will be "no more riots" as
"universally accepted jail rules will be enforced."
CHANGING
OF THE GUARDS
Pernia
hinted that several jailguards will be replaced due to their "familiarity"
with inmates.
The
laxity on prisoners and the entry of weapons and even illegal drugs were likewise
cited by Pernia among the reasons for replacements.
In
fact, two detention cells were furnished with television sets, video players and
personal refrigerators.
In
the next two days, Pernia said, the PNP will be manning the jail's security.
According
to Pernia, all privileges will be cancelled while political detainees will be
separated from the common criminals.
SHORT
RANGE HITS
Corbito,
who was killed during the operation, was allegedly one of the detention cell leaders
who had the privilege of using the kitchen as their meeting place.
An
initial report of the medical examiner bared that the two bullets that killed
Corbito remained lodged on his head. This indicated that the gunshots were fired
at close range.
The
victim, on his mid-thirties, was convicted of rape, BDRC records showed. | 
