Rapist sets 19 inmates on fire; one burned to death

By Mar T. Supnad

KIANGAN, Ifugao -- Regional police authorities ordered Thursday a thorough investigation on the burning inside a provincial jail here where a prisoner was burned to death while eight others suffered serious burns after a prisoner who was convicted of rape poured kerosene over his cellmates then lit them afire.

At the regional police headquarters in Camp Dangwa, Benguet, Supt. Leon Talleo, information officer, said Floriano Talaban, a prisoner convicted of rape, an inmate of Ifugao District Jail at Tiger Hill in the historic town, was probably desperate after learning he was convicted by a judge prompting him to set their cell and other inmates on fire.

Investigation conducted disclosed at about 11:45 p.m. on Aug. 9, while all other inmates were asleep, the suspect brought inside kerosene he had been secretly collecting from a torch which they were using as emergency lights due to constant power interruption.

Talaban reportedly poured the kerosene on the other sleeping inmates and their personal belongings and set them on fire.

While the place was being burned, police said the suspect again poured kerosene gas and hid himself in the comfort room inside their cell.

As a result, Talleo said, out of twenty 20 inmates which included the suspect, nine incurred burn injuries while four prisoners were in critical condition. Five were pronounced out of danger by physician Jeremy Dunuan.

Victims who were in critical conditions were identified as Efren Lindawan, Mamao Malingay, Willy Sairez and Joel Amado.

Lindawan, however later succumbed due to severe burns in his body.

Declared out of danger were Nestor Moog, Anthony dela Cruz, Mario Budihon, Lucas Caclini and Robert Madayag.

According to a police report, the order of conviction of Tayaban was received by jail authorities on Aug. 5 from judge Joseph P. Baguilat of the regional trial court in Lagawe, Ifugao and was scheduled to be transferred to the National Bilibid Prison this week.