151009 Philippines Fire sweeps through Leyte prison killing 10 inmates
Philippines Oct 09 2015 “Other”
Dead : dead more than 10 Burnout : 0 or unknown Injured : injured 0 or unknown
Fire sweeps through Leyte prison killing 10 inmates
Updated: 2015-10-09-20:35
At least 10 inmates of the maximum security compound of the Leyte regional prison in Abuyog, Leyte were killed after a fire erupted there yesterday, a report from GMA’s “24 Oras” said Friday.
The disaster would likely highlight woeful conditions in one of the world’s most over-crowded prison systems. The country’s dilapidated prison system is the fourth most overcrowded in the world, according to the International Centre for Prison Studies.
The “24 Oras” report said, quoting Bureau of Fire Protection Region 8 Director Sr. Supt. Joselito Quibin, that the fire was possibly caused by faulty electrical wiring.
“Based sa initial investigation, nag-umpisa po ang sunog doon sa tinatawag nilang emergency shelter… sa loob ito ng compound na tinatawag nilang maximum security compound,” Quibin said.
Eight inmates were burned beyond recognition in their cells while one died in an emergency shelter and one body was found near the security fence.
“The whole maximum security compound was struck by the fire, so everyone inside the cells was caught in the blaze,” municipal fire marshal Eric Barcelo told reporters.
The fire, which started around 4 p.m. Thursday, was declared fire out the following day at 12 midnight.
The 1,000 inmates of the maximum security compound were temporarily transferred to the minimum security area.
Several dormitories in the 42-year-old penal facility were destroyed by a fire in 2013.
Overcrowding in Philippine prisons is exacerbated by a slow judicial process and a lack of basic infrastructure. Inmates suffer from inadequate nutrition and medical attention, the U.S. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor in a 2013 report.
Web Source: GMA NEWS
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/540146/news/regions/fire-sweeps-through-leyte-prison-killing-10-inmates