The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Region 7 has officially clarified that an incident at the Lapu-Lapu City Jail on Friday, March 13, 2026, was not a hostage-taking event, but rather a barricade staged by seven persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). This statement was made by Samuel Manas Jr., Chief of the BJMP 7 Community Relations Service Section, during a telephone interview with SunStar Cebu on Monday, March 16.
Details of the Barricade Incident
According to Manas, the seven PDLs barricaded themselves inside the Solid 1 building male dormitory, joined by over 100 other inmates to voice their grievances. He emphasized that the situation was a security issue stemming from internal problems among the prisoners, rather than a hostage crisis. The barricade affected approximately 172 PDLs housed in that dormitory.
Grievances and Negotiations
The PDLs involved in the barricade made specific requests during negotiations. They sought permission to see their families and expressed concerns about the leadership system within the jail, particularly their desire to replace their designated chief expediter. Authorities successfully recovered bladed weapons that were surrendered by the inmates after reaching an agreement with negotiators.
An investigation is ongoing to determine how these weapons were smuggled into the facility. During the negotiations, Lone Lapu-Lapu City District Representative Junard "Ahong" Chan visited the jail after the inmates requested to speak with him or his wife, Mayor Ma. Cynthia "Cindi" King-Chan.
Safety and Aftermath
No injuries or fatalities were reported as a result of the incident. Manas assured that authorities ensured the safety of all inmates, including high-value personalities, throughout the negotiation process. The Lapu-Lapu City Jail houses controversial contractor Sarah Discaya and nine others involved in an alleged P96.5 million "ghost" flood control project, though it is unclear if they were directly involved in this barricade.
This incident highlights ongoing challenges in jail management and security protocols, with the BJMP continuing to address internal issues to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
