Drugs seen as motive behind Bilibid riot

The gang riot inside the New Bilibid Prison that claimed nine lives last week may have had something to do with illegal drugs, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag said Tuesday.

According to Marisol Abdurahman’s report on “24 Oras,” an investigation by BuCor found that drugs may be one of the causes of the riot.

“Kung mayroon man nakakalusot diyan, in-estafa ‘yung drugs mo, ano’ng gagawin mo?” Bantag said.

Nine prisoners were found dead early Friday after a “free-for-all scuffle” broke out between the warring Sputnik and Commando gangs.

The two groups are under strict monitoring as the situation remains “tense.” 

The BuCor also said it continues to speak with gang leaders and other groups inside the Bilibid to prevent another riot.

Over 400 hidden weapons were seized during a search. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News