At least three agencies have launched an investigation into the death of an inmate of the Cebu City Jail.

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) told GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak it has opened an investigation into the incident that the inmate's family said was questionable. 

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has also started gathering documents for its own probe. 

The latest to start investigating is the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) upon the request of the inmate's family.

“We’ve already dispatched a quick response operation to check not just on the death but also on the possible administrative liability of the personnel in the facility,” said Atty. Stanley Tibon, Chief Investigator of CHR-7.

DISBELIEF

The family of the inmate, 37-year-old Fernando Prajes, does not believe he died of a heart attack, especially that bruises were reportedly seen in his body.

“Pagtan-aw niya, bun-og man kaayo. Bun-og kaayo, mura’g gitabangan gyud siguro. Lig-on kaayo ning bataa, sir. Wala gyud ni sakit bataa,” said Prajes’ aunt, Lucita Abapo.

The family said Prajes was still healthy when they visited him recently and did not mention of any health-related concerns.

Prajes was found unconscious on April 26, 2026 and was brought to the Cebu City Medical Center. Doctors declared him dead on arrival.

His death certificate indicated sudden cardiac death acute coronary syndrome as cause of death.

His family said Prajes should just have been made to face the charges against him.

“Naa na gud ka sa sulod sa presohan… safe unta na pero dili man diay. Mamatay pa man diay ka,” Abapo said.

Prajes, who was accused of raping an 11-year-old girl in Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City, was arrested on March 10, 2026 in Manila where he allegedly escaped.