More Bilibid mass graves possible, says DOJ chief
New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / LYN RILLON)
MANILA, Philippines – Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Thursday said there may be more mass graves inside the New Bilibid Prison’s (NBP) maximum security compound.
This comes after the discovery of human remains in a septic tank inside the prison facility.
“Ang tingin namin ay may dalawang mass grave pa kaming mahahanap sa loob ng maximum security compound through that two septic tanks. Tapos meron pa kaming isang ina-eye na site na kung saan [maaari pang] mag yield ng human remains,” said Remulla in an interview with CNN Philippines’ The Source.
(We think we can find two more mass graves inside the maximum security compound through those two septic tanks. Then we are also eyeing one more site which we think may yield human remains.)
Asked to clarify if these mass graves are throughout the New Bilibid Prison, Remulla replied: Only inside the prison’s maximum security compound.
Remulla said authorities have started their thorough search operations inside the prison after an inmate went missing last July 15.
Remulla said the decapitated body of the inmate, Michael Angelo Cataroja, was found on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. on Thursday ordered the lifting of the red code status at the NBP, although visiting privileges remain suspended.
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