Jail guards escorting high risk inmates get 90 assault rifles

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) received on Saturday 90 brand-new M-16 assault rifles to improve the capabilities of its elite Special Tactics and Response (Star) team in Metro Manila, the interior department said.

The firearms, all of the latest model, were turned over to the BJMP-National Capital Region’s Star team during the bureau’s 20th anniversary at its new headquarters at Seneca Building on E. Rodriguez Avenue in Quezon City.

In a report to Interior Secretary Jesse M. Robredo, BJMP-NCR Director Chief Superintendent Benito M. Dorigo said the newly issued weapons would be used by the Star team when escorting “high-profile and high risk inmates” to courts or hospitals.

“With these new firearms, BJMP personnel will now be more than ready to provide custodial and escort services to high profile and high risk inmates,” Dorigo said in a statement.

He cited the case of Maguindanao massacre suspect Zaldy Ampatuan who was recently confined at Philippine Heart Center and needed to be escorted to and from his detention cell in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

Other prominent BJMP inmates include brothers Roger and Raymund Dominguez detained at the Metro Manila District Jail in Bicutan, Taguig City and who regularly attend court hearings over car-jacking and murder charges in Bulacan.