1 dead, 3 injured in New Bilibid Prison rumble

MANILA, Philippines – An inmate was killed while three others were slightly injured in a rumble during a basketball game at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City on Wednesday night.

Bureau of Corrections Superintendent Richard Schwarzkopf identified the fatality as Edwin Soriano, 52, from Pasay City. He was pronounced dead when taken to NBP hospital.

Initial investigation showed that Soriano, who was convicted of murder and brought to the NBP in 2000, had stab wounds on the body.

Schwarzkopf said the incident happened during a basketball match on the court in the left wing of the maximum security compound at around 6 p.m. Wednesday.

“It started when a coach, who is a member of the Sputnik gang, allegedly swore at the referee, from the Commando gang, for a wrong call on the game,” Scharzkopf said.

Some 100 inmates from the two gangs watching the game then started throwing rocks at each other.