Third time in five months: Talisay City Jail strafed anew

CEBU, Philippines — For the third time in five months, the gate of the Talisay City jail was strafed by an unidentified person who was riding a motorcycle last Sunday dawn.

While the June 26 and July 28 incidents had two perpetrators riding a motorcycle, last Sunday’s crime was committed by a lone man.

Jail warden Gil Inopia said they were investigating if the current incident is connected with the past incidents.

He said that they found three holes in the gate and two bullet shells of a .9mm pistol at the scene.  Inopia said they could not find any motive in the incident except that it was meant to generate fear.

“Wala man ko’y nakitang motibo aside sa pagpanghadlok. Papansin ra siguro sa mga tawo nga walay mahimo. Kaning mga tawo’ng attention seeker,” said Inopia, in a phone interview.

He also said that they were not alarmed despite the fact that it was the third time to happen at the facility. However, he did not discount the possibility that the assailant could be someone who holds a grudge against them.

“Wala ra mi naalarma kay wa tay makita nga rason. Nagtrabaho ra mi. Wala mi giunsa sa sulod (mga priso). Sa mga policy nga among gi-implement kay dugay naman ni naka-adjust na sila,” Inopia said.

CCTV footage of the jail showed a man wearing a full-face helmet and driving a motorcycle without a plate number.

As to what happened, Inopia said that they will strengthen more the security of the facility and to stay alert and vigilant.

Meanwhile, Superintendent Jason Villamater (Talisay City Police Station chief), said they are now investigating what happened at the City Jail.

 Villamater said they received the report three hours after the incident.

“Ang sa amin lang na sa mga ganoon ay mabilis silang makapag-report para mabilis tayong maka-set up ng checkpoint or maka-conduct ng hot pursuit operation. Ang nakalipas ay three hours, matagal-tagal na iyun, malayo na siguro ang perpetrator lalo na kung nakamotor lang,” he said. (FREEMAN)