Death toll from Caloocan jail riot climbs to 6

The death toll from the  Caloocan City Jail riot climbed to six, according to Corinne Catibayan's report on GTV’s Balitanghali on Tuesday.

Authorities said that Monday's riot erupted between members of rival Commando and Sputnik Gangs following a game of cara y cruz.

"Nagsimula po ito sa biruan, nagkapikunan, hanggang sa nagkampihan na ang iba't ibang tao mula sa iba't ibang grupo," said Jail Superintendent Xavier Solda, spokesperson for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

(They were all just having fun then it turned into heated arguments until groups turned against each other.)

Solda said it had been a long time since a riot broke out at the jail. For him, one of the possible reasons behind the incident was the almost two years of no physical visitation policy at the facility due to the pandemic.

"Sa isang araw, kailangan natin ng kausap, ma-check yung pamilya natin," he said.

(In a day, we need someone talk to, check with our family.)

The four initial fatalities were identified as Arturo Biyasa and Hans Omar of Commando Gang, and Sherwin Perez and John Patrick Chico of Sputnik Gang.

The jail facility was back to normal operations by Monday night.

In a statement, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it was investigating the incident and would check on the warring gangs inside the jail.

“The police is further investigating this incident in coordination with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) because it involves multiple casualties,” PNP Chief Police General Dionardo Carlos said.

“The PNP will also look at the presence of various opposing gangs inside the jail facility that may have started the riot because those who died belong to different groups,” he added.

To determine if contraband was being kept inside the cells, the PNP also directed a random inspection at the jail facility. — Joviland Rita/DVM, GMA News