Another Bilibid inmate dies after riot

MANILA, Philippines — The number of fatalities from the riot at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa rose to four, the Department of Justice said yesterday.

Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay Villar said six of the injured inmates were taken to the hospital after the riot. One of them died yesterday.

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) identified the four fatalites as Ace Pempena, Calvin Tan, Edgar Publico and Jonathan Rodriguez.

Villar said inmates at the maximum security compound have been restricted to their dormitories following the brawl on Monday.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the justice department is handling the probe on the Bilibid riot, adding that there is no need for Malacañang to intervene.

BuCor spokesman Gabriel Chaclag said the suspension of visitation rights of the inmates may have triggered the riot between members of two rival gangs. – Ralph Edwin Villanueva, Christina Mendez