Manila jail inmate found dead; suicide by electrocution eyed

MANILA, Philippines — A jailed drug suspect in Manila was found dead Wednesday night after he allegedly committed suicide by electrocution.

The body of Gregorio Trinidad was found seated on the floor of his cell inside the Manila City Jail, his toes in contact with copper wire connected to a power cable, according to a jail guard’s report.

Jail Officer  3 Jose Antonio said the body was discovered by another inmate, identified only as Tazarte, around 10:45 p.m.

The jail guards were doing a head count when they noticed that Trinidad was missing. They then asked Tazarte to look for him at his space or kubol at Dormitory 1.

Tazarte saw a motionless Trinidad but the latter did not respond when called. Tazarte tried to wake him up by touching his leg and giving it a nudge.

“Inmate Tazarte felt an electrifying sensation on his hands, prompting him to investigate. He noticed that there was a magnetic wire connected from the power line to [Trinidad’s] feet,” Antonio said in a two-page report obtained by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The report was submitted to the Manila Police District around 2 p.m. Thursday.

Trinidad was wearing only briefs and a red bandana around his head, and still had his eyeglasses on.

The inmate had been detained for about year for possession of illegal drugs.  SFM