The Bureau of Corrections has started dismantling the gangs inside the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa to stop the riots that earlier resulted in the death of 13 inmates and the injury to almost 100 others.
In a report to the Department of Justice, the bureau also recommended the transfer to other camps of the inmates involved in the two riots that took place in October and November.
The agency is also processing the purchase of equipment anti-riot gear to help prison guards maintain peace and order in the penitentiary.
The gradual abolition of gang culture will be implemented under “Oplan Bura Tatak” or the removal of gang tattoos.
“For the first incident of the riot, what triggered it was a perceived personal conflict that got out of hand and unfortunately involved others. For the second incident, it was triggered by the desire of one group to exact revenge,” the report said.
“The suspension of privileges definitely was a factor affecting the temperament of PDLs [persons deprived of liberty],” BuCor spokesman Gabriel Chaclag said when asked if the nine-month suspension of visitation rights could have been one of the factors for the riots.
The agency also reported that none of its personnel should be held liable for the deadly gang wars.
In fact, Chaclag said, it recommended to the department that the prison personnel who were on duty at the time of the riots should be given recognition for their “exemplary” actions during and after the riots.
“No negligence on the part of the personnel was noted. All actions of personnel who were on duty and those who responded were found to be in accordance with established security protocols. Their sound judgment on the ground was commendable,” Chaclag said.
He said the bureau had implemented other measures, such as the enhanced patrol operations of its Special Weapons and Tactics team, to keep order.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier asked the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a parallel investigation into the two incidents.