BuCor: 3 to 4 inmates die each day of natural causes

At least three to four persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) die each day due to natural causes, according to the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

In Marisol Abdurahman’s report on “24 Oras” on Monday, GMA News Research data from BuCor showed that 1,166 out of 48,501 PDLs died inside jail facilities in 2021.

The recorded deaths were the most in 32 years, the report added.

From January to September this 2022, the data also revealed that more than 700 inmates have died.

“Old age, sickness, mostly naman nanggagaling sa hospital, sa hospital records [Old age, sickness, usually the records came from the hospital],” said BuCor spokesperson Gabriel Chaclag.

BuCor officer-in-charge General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said that he would look into the deaths of PDLs from NBP.

“We will look into that. Lahat namatay noong COVID eh. Ayun pinapa-review ko rin ‘yun. And then we will submit [We will look into that. Most have died during COVID. That’s what I ask them to review. And then we will submit],” Catapang said.

Joel Escorial, the confessed gunman in the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid, earlier identified Crisanto Villamor Jr. as the alleged middleman in the slay case.

Villamor is the same person as Jun Villamor who died inside the NBP due to a heart hemorrhage.

Initial findings showed no signs of physical external injuries on the body of Villamor, the BuCor said Friday.

Lapid was shot dead while on his way home in Las Piñas City on October 3.

The Philippine National Police earlier said that around 160 individuals, including BuCor chief director General Gerald Bantag, are considered persons of interest in the killing.—Mel Matthew Doctor/LDF, GMA News