EDITORIAL - Murder in jail

An inmate at the Mandaue City Jail is the latest high-profile illegal drug suspect to have been killed. But you are mistaken if you think the death of suspected drug lord Steve Go has something to do with the illegal drug trade.

Fellow detainee Cresenciano Erana allegedly shot Go several times inside their cell shortly before noon on Tuesday. Go allegedly pulled out a gun but Erana managed to grab it and fired shots at the victim. The incident reportedly occurred following a heated argument between the two during a game of “hantak.”

Before he was killed, Go, reportedly received several death threats, according to his sister. He was facing cases for robbery and homicide but authorities tagged him as having been involved in the illegal drug trade. His business allegedly flourished following the surrender of suspected drug lord Franz Sabalones.

Since the motive has been established as far as the police investigation is concerned, let’s set aside the drug angle in Go’s death. Before Go’s murder, there was no police operation inside the jail similar to the events leading to the death of detained Albuera, Leyte, mayor Rolando Espinosa.

Last week, there was a surprise greyhound operation at the Mandaue City Jail that, surprisingly, yielded no illegal drugs and guns. Authorities only recovered minor contraband items such as a sex toy, mobile phones, scissors and lighters.

Now, how Go managed to get hold of a gun remains a mystery. The only thing we know is that no single firearm was recovered during the recent greyhound operation supposedly meant to clean the Mandaue City Jail of every contraband item.

Was Go able to keep the gun away from the authorities during the operation? Or did the raiding team know Go has been keeping a gun but chose not to confiscate it knowing he is a high-profile detainee?

Heads must roll over the shooting incident. Jail authorities should launch a thorough investigation and punish those guards whose negligence only enabled the gun to find its way into the jail.