2 hurt in Olongapo jail violence

OLONGAPO CITY - Two inmates were hurt following a violent protest at the Olongapo City jail Wednesday morning, a police official said. "May ililipat yata silang inmate mula dito (Olongapo City) papuntang Dinalupihan, pero umalma yung mga preso, nag protesta sila hanggang sa nagkagulo at ang balita ko nagsunog pa sila ng mesa at upuan," said Senior Superintendent Oscar Albayalde in a phone interview. [An inmate was to be transferred to Dinalupihan but the other inmates protested until violence erupted.] A radio dzBB report said the incident happened about 9:30 a.m. and the protesting inmates belonged to the Sputnik Gang. The inmate to be transferred was the gang's leader. Jail management staff refused to officially identify the victims but sources from the same office identified them as Lito Mendoza and Joselito Abelda. No other details were available as Bureau of Jail Management of Penology (BJMP) and city officials refused to disclose any information. The two injured inmates were rushed to the James L Gordon Memorial Hospital. The hospital refused to issue any update on the condition of the victims, requesting reporters first to secure clearance from the Public Affairs Office of the city government. Several witnesses said that the two were reportedly hit by bullets fired by BJMP guards to stop the protest action. For several times, GMANews.TV tried to reach the jail warden but staffers of the city jail refused to entertain the calls. - John Bayarong/RSJ/KBK, GMANews.TV