Inmate beaten, strangled to death in CPDRC

CEBU, Philippines — A 31-year-old inmate of the Cebu Provincial Detention  and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) was killed by another inmate in the facility’s infirmary ward early morning on Friday.

According to Senior Police Officer Winston Ybañez, homicide investigator of Cebu City Police Office, Joebert  Ducanis Talabroso was allegedly strangled and beaten to death by Ronel Birao, 31, around 4: 30 a.m. using a piece of wood and a telephone wire.

Police have yet to determine why Birao killed Talabroso.

“Natug ra man daw ni siya (Talabroso) unya gibunalan sa suspect,” Ybañez said.  (Talabroso was sleeping when he was attacked.)

There are at least 17 inmates confined in the infirmary ward.

Ybañez said the suspect was sent to the infirmary ward due to a gunshot wound to his belly while the victim had a catheter and cannot move his legs.

Birao is facing robbery and rape cases while Talabroso is facing a drug case, according to Ybañez.

Ybañez said the inmates in the infirmary were disturbed because of the commotion.

A witness, Richard Pañares, another inmate confined in the infirmary, told police that he went to the comfort room and heard Talabroso calling for help.

Pañares peeped through a small opening of a wall and reportedly saw Birao beating the victim.

“Basi sa nakasaksi, gadala daw siya’g kahoy. Ang kini nga kahoy gamiton nila panglimpyo sa CR, maoy gigamit og bunal,” Ybañez said. (A witness saw the suspect holding a piece of wood which they use in cleaning the comfort room.)

After killing the victim, Birao reportedly walked casually in the infirmary hall as if nothing happened.

Ybañez said there were several witnesses but are scared to talk about the incident because the suspect is known to be hot-tempered.

Ybañez said they have yet to determine where Birao got the telephone wire.

Tomorrow, Ybañez said CPDRC will file a murder case against Birao.

CPDRC Acting Warden Roberto Legaspi said the mother was already informed and visited the facility yesterday.

Talabroso’s body was subjected to an autopsy.

Legaspi also said that Talabroso’s brother is also an inmate, prompting the management to isolate the suspect.

"The suspect is in protective custody in the isolation cell considering that the deceased has an inmate brother," Legaspi said.  (FREEMAN)