AT least 80 persons were injured following a prison riot inside the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility in San Mateo town, Rizal Province.
Of the 80 injured, 60 are persons deprived of liberty (PDL) while the remaining 20 are BJMP personnel.
According to a report shared by the BJMP Central Office, the prison riot started when the BJMP personnel tried to stop seven PDLs from sparking a noise barrage in protest against a new jail policy restricting relatives from bringing cash during visitation.
BJMP spokesperson Jail Chief Inspector Jayrex Bustinera, said that the seven PDLs who started a noise barrage inside the prison, have already been transferred to another cell at the San Mateo BJMP facility.
Bustinera said that it took a combined effort among BJMP, Philippine National Police and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office personnel to diffuse the situation.
Meanwhile, visitation rights have been suspended pending the results of the investigation pursued by the BJMP Central Office, amid reports of inhumane living conditions among PDLs. (ANGEL F. JOSE)
