Inmate sets fellow prisoners on fire

Arson could soon be added to the string of crimes hounding a 52-year-old prisoner in Ifugao province after setting three of his fellow prisoners on fire. Senior Superintendent Laurence Mombael, Ifugao provincial police director, said they are preparing charges of arson with multiple homicide against Floriano Tayaban, who poured kerosene over his sleeping fellow inmates Monday night. The kerosene reportedly came from a lamp used in the jail whenever there was a power outage in the area. Tabayan shared a prison cell with 20 other prisoners at the Kiangan District Jail. Convicted for murder and rape, Tabayan was said to be unhappy over his impending transfer to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Metro Manila. Police said Tayaban was barely hurt in the incident as he hid inside the cell's comfort room during the fire, which partially destroyed the prison cell. Inmates Efren Lindawan, Mamao Malingay Jr. and Willy Sairez died in the hospital after sustaining serious multiple burns. Six inmates suffered from less serious burns, namely Lucas Caclini, Mario Budihon, Joel Amado, Robert Madayag, Anthony De La Cruz and Nestor Moog. Half of them were sent back to the Kiangan district jail, while the other half were sent to the Ifugao Provincial Jail. Tabayan once reportedly tried to escape from his prison cell to avoid being sent back to the NBP, where he used to be detained. — with Mark Merueñas/RSJ/LBG/VVP, GMANews.TV