Inmate killed in Sorsogon jail riot

LEGAZPI CITY – An inmate was stabbed dead while two others were wounded in a jail riot on Sunday evening inside the Sorsogon Provincial Jail in Sorsogon City, police said yesterday.

According to the Philippine News Agency online report, Rommel Lanuza, a jail “mayor” and a member of the Sputnik Gang was pronounced dead upon arrival at a nearby hospital in Sorsogon City, according to Police Senior Inspector Jerry Cereno, commander of the Philippine National Police Community Police Assistance Center (CPAC) 3, in Sorsogon City.

Two more inmates, Ronaldo de Vera and Jerry Habla, also members of the Sputnik Gang, sustained stab wounds in different parts of their bodies.

Police said that at about 8:30 p.m. Sunday while the victim with fellow inmates was celebrating his birthday and having a drinking spree, they were suddenly attacked by members of the rival gang Bahala Na Gang, led by a certain Raffy Bolanyo, reportedly armed with improvised knives.

Reports said that the group of Lanuza were dancing and singing while a videoke machine was playing at a cell they were occupying, when they were attacked by the rival gang members.

The riot was controlled immediately by the Special Disorder and Commotion Unit of the Provincial Jail Guard.

Jail records showed that there are 395 inmates that are under the custody of the Sorsogon Provincial Jail awaiting resolution of their cases in various local courts in Sorsogon. (Philippine STAR News Service)