Inmate dies after scuffle inside ‘slightly crowded’ Cavite jail

MANILA, Philippines — An inmate at the custodial facility of the Dasmariñas City Police Station in Cavite died after he and his fellow inmates allegedly fought over space in the “slightly crowded” jail, police said on Thursday.

A report from the Dasmariñas City Police identified the victim as Geryc Miranda, 38, who was found unconscious by other inmates on Wednesday.

Police officers rushed Miranda to the Pagamutan ng Dasmariñas at 8:40 a.m. but he was declared dead on arrival at about 8:50 a.m.

Col. Nerwin Ricohermoso, Dasmariñas City Police chief, told INQUIRER.net in an interview that the victim and his fellow detainees were fighting over space inside the custodial facility before the scuffle happened.

“Head injury, dahil sa tinamong bugbog at sinakal din daw ayon sa mga witness na kapwa detainee [because of the mauling, and he was also strangled according to witnesses who are his fellow detainees],” he said when asked on the suspected cause of death of the victim.

The official said, however, that initial investigation showed it was the victim who might have initiated the fight.

Ricohermoso said two fellow inmates may face a case of homicide, but refused to divulge their names since they are still conducting the investigation on the incident.

He added the remains of the victim will be subjected to autopsy examination. /jpv