‘Batang Cebu’ kills Samar-Leyte, Bicol gangmen in Munti riot

A gang war left two inmates dead and two others wounded Thursday inside the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) in Muntinlupa City, according to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

De Lima identified the fatalities as Arturo Oaperina, a member of the Bicol Region Masbate (BRM) gang; and Ramil Cuasito of Batang Samar-Leyte.

They were allegedly attacked by another prisoner, Leo dela Victoria of the Batang Cebu gang, at the Calvary Church building within the NBP maximum security compound around 1 p.m.

Oaperina and Cuasito were brought to the NBP Hospital, where they were pronounced dead about half an hour later.

Wounded in the knife attack were Teresito Muralla of Cuerna gang and Pablito Rabosa, also of BRM, who were treated in another hospital in Muntinlupa.

De Lima said “revenge over previous incidents” may have triggered Thursday’s attack.

The incident happened a week after the newly appointed Bureau of Corrections director, Franklin Bucayu, reported that five convicts escaped from the NBP and Davao Prison and Penal Farm’s minimum security compound between March 19 and April 16. Jerome Aning