‘Confiscated phone’ sparked Makati jail noise barrage, clash; 34 hurt

More than 30 people were injured Wednesday after authorities moved in to control inmates of the Makati City jail who staged a noise barrage, destroyed government property and caused the power supply to be cut — all in protest of a crackdown on contraband.

The riot was instigated Tuesday night by one of the inmates’ “leaders” whose cell phone was seized during the conduct of “Operation Greyhound”, according to an official.

This leader and 10 more who heeded his call for a noise barrage were later transferred to Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, according to Senior Insp. Xavier Solda, spokesperson of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

At least 29 inmates and five jail personnel sustained bruises from the clash, during which several cells, bunk beds, and the facility’s power lines were damaged, Solda said.

The inmates started to become restive around 7 p.m. Tuesday. Solda said an inmate he identified only as Lim, who parted with his phone because of “Greyhound”, talked to the other 10 leaders for them to start the noise barrage.

There was a lull by midnight, but the noise resumed around 1 a.m., prompting BJMP teams to move in.

The injured were later treated by paramedics and doctors at the facility.

Not all of the 522 inmates joined, Solda noted. The majority of the inmates are jailed for drug-related cases.

BJMP-National Capital Region Director Chief Supt. Michael Vidamo Sr. arrived Tuesday night at the jail and stayed up to Wednesday morning to “explain to them that (Greyhound) was for the general population’s own welfare,” Solda added.

The BJMP spokesperson denied the allegations made by some inmates that they were being maltreated by the jail guards.

A temporary ban on visitors was imposed Wednesday to make way for repairs, including welding works on the cell bars and grills, which could not immediately start because of the loss of power supply, the official said.