Erwin Tulfo, 2 solons seek inquiry on inmate found in Bilibid septic tank

A congressional inquiry on the death of a New Bilibid Prison (NBP) inmate  found in a septic tank has been sought at the House of Representatives.

ACT-CIS party-list Representatives Erwin and Jocelyn Tulfo and Edvic Yap made the call under House Resolution 1136 which they filed on Wednesday, July 26.

“As part of the duties and functions of the House of Representatives, it is prudent to revisit and scrutinize existing laws, regulations, and circumstances that affect the country's public order and safety primarily the country's correctional facilities,” the lawmakers said in their resolution.

The measure urged the appropriate House committees "to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the relevant government agencies tasked with the custody and rehabilitation of national offenders or Persons Deprived of Liberty."

In a news conference, Erwin Tulfo said his source in the NBP informed him that the victim, Michael Cataroja, has been missing since June.

“Back in July 15, NBP said this inmate was missing. But according to my source, he has been missing since the first week of June. They only reported to the DOJ (Department of Justice) that this inmate was missing on June 15,” Tulfo said.

“The question now is, how did he die? The reason is clear. For sure, he did not take a bath in that septic tank. According to my source, there are a lot of remains in the septic tank,” he added.

Asked if his source knew the motive for the death of the inmate, Tulfo said he was informed that it was about a drug deal gone wrong.

“Nagkaonsehan sa droga. That was what he (source) was saying. But according to the NBP, they are still investigating,” Tulfo said.

The congressman said his source also told him that a gunfight between warring gangs, Sputnik and Batang Cebu, ensued after Cataroja went missing.  The inmates used high-powered guns, Tulfo added, quoting his source.

“Inmates thought it was between SWAT or NBP guards and inmates, they were the sounds of automatic rifles. We need inquiry on this because this is the Maximum Security Compound, there has been a change of leadership, and yet drug trade remains in place,” he said.

“This has been going on and on. They are back to their usual ways. They stop for a week when the media is focused on the issue. When another news comes up and the media turns the other way, the corrupt system is again in place. We filed a resolution to end this cycle in the New Bilibid Prison,” Tulfo added.—LDF, GMA Integrated News