Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23) — Initial findings on unclaimed bodies of New Bilibid Prison (NBP) inmates showed most were with undiagnosed diseases and left untreated, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Monday.
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“Most of the people who died had tuberculosis, had lung disease, and many of them had cancer. Maraming diseases na left untreated and undiagnosed dito po sa loob [Several diseases were left untreated and undiagnosed inside the prison],” Remulla, who has supervision over the Bureau of Correction which runs NBP, told reporters.
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In November last year, reports revealed nearly 200 bodies of Bilibid prisoners had accumulated at a funeral home in Muntinlupa City, including some unclaimed for months.
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They were autopsied to determine the cause of deaths, but authorities said some had to be buried immediately as they were already mummified.
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Asked about possible foul play in the deaths, Remulla told reporters, “Nothing [is] conclusive yet.”
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He also pointed out that they weren’t particularly looking at the angle.
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“Syempre general conclusion muna,” Remulla said. “Wala naman tayong inimbestigahan na foul play. Ang ating tinitignan talaga eh syempre bakit tumagal nang ganun.”
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[Translation: Of course, the general conclusion first. Anyway, we weren’t investigating foul play. What we’re really looking at is why the cadavers were in the funeral home for so long.]
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RELATED: DOJ to check possible liability of jail officials over unclaimed inmate cadavers
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Meanwhile, Remulla said the agency is working on ways to prevent deaths in the NBP for lack of access to medical care.
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“Isa ‘yun sa mga problema na dapat ho natin i-address, and meron kaming steps na ginagawa ni DG (Director General Gregorio) Catapang about this matter which you will see in the next few months. Meron po kaming ia-address dito na needs ng mga PDL (persons deprived of liberty),” Remulla said.
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[Translation: That’s one of the problems we need to address, and (Acting) Director General Catapang and I are taking steps regarding this matter which you will see in the next few months. We’re addressing the needs of the PDLs.]
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He said malnutrition, which he added has already become “endemic” in the national penitentiary, will also be addressed.
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