20 inmates die in Manila Police jails due to infections, difficulty in breathing

With the congestion of city jails, inmates have suffered from difficulty in breathing and  skin infections.

For the first half of 2018, a total of twenty inmates have died inside Manila Police jails and 13 of them died in Station 3 in Quiapo Manila, Ivan Mayrina reported for 24 Oras on Wednesday.

The common causes of death are difficulty in breathing and infection.

At present, there are 173 inmates detained in the cells in Station 3, which only has a capacity of 60 individuals.

Due to the congestion, older inmates who are ill and weak are handcuffed outside the cells.

Police Superintendent Julius Ceasar Domingo, Station Commander MPD Station 3, said some inmates get blood infections when they are injured.

"Minsan pag may mga sugat nagkakaroon ng impeksyon sa dugo kaya kahit itinakbo mo na yan sa ospital infected yung dugo nila," he said.

The report said the inmates suffer from skin diseases, specifically boils.

One of the inmates said that because of the cramped space, he and the other detainees are often in close proximity to each other.

"Mahirap po sir eh may mga pigsa po kami sir, nagbabangga banggaan sir. Ayan andami na po eh, dikit-dikit po dumadami po kami," he said.

According to data from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), more or less 45,000 drug suspects have been arrested in Metro Manila since the start of the administration's war on drugs.

The inmates' have to stay in jail longer than needed due to the time it takes to process the charges filed against them.

The number of individuals arrested is higher than the cases filed by the prosecutor's office and the release of the commitment orders of the courts for inmates who are supposed to be detained.

"Kung agad after filing the case before the city prosecutor, nagkakaron agad ng commitment order na mapadala sa ibang BJMP facilities but the problem is nagtatagal dun," said NCRPO director Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar.

Remigio Viceslao, a detainee at the Station 3 jail for nearly two months for illegal gambling, which is a bailable offense. He just has to pay his bail so he can be released.

However, after being detained nearly two months, he still doesn't know the amount he has to pay for bail as he has not yet been summoned for a hearing.

"Hingi ko po alam kung magkano po eh, kasi yung asunto ko po, dalawa po kami ng asawa ko eh," he said.

A temporary cell was installed in Station 3, using funds donated by private individuals.

Authorities also installed an exhaust fan and electric fan to ensure proper ventilation in the area as a means to cope with the jail congestion.

"Binibilin natin sa ating mga police station na bantayan maigi kung meron konting karamdaman itakbo sa ospital or alamin kung anong sitwasyon nila yun lang ang pwede nating gawin," Eleazar said. — Jessica Bartolome/BAP, GMA News