UPDATE - Grenade blast at Philippines jail kills 10 inmates

UPDATES WITH CITY POLICE CHIEF COMMENTS

By Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, the Philippines (AA) – An explosion at a jail in the Philippines’ capital region has killed at least 10 inmates, including two Chinese nationals detained on drug charges.

Local news broadcaster ABS-CBN reported Friday that an explosive went off during violence that broke out Thursday night after detainees sought to address the warden of the Paranaque City Jail about the transfer of detention cells.

The detainees involved in the violence -- which left the warden, Supt. Gerald Bantag, injured -- were reportedly equipped with firearms, knives and grenades.

Authorities said they are looking into whether the incident had involved a jailbreak attempt.

Sen. Supt. Jose Carumba, Paranaque police chief, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that the 10 inmates had a meeting with Bantag, who said he was brushing his teeth in a bathroom adjacent to his office when he noticed a “commotion” in the receiving area.

“Bantag said he heard a gunshot which prompted him to grab his 9-mm pistol. He said the inmates kept firing at him, so he kept firing back as he tried to make his way out of his office. It was then that the grenade exploded,” said Carumba.

“Maybe they planned to take the warden hostage, but during the commotion, the grenade exploded.”

Carumba said he had met earlier this week with Bantag, who expressed his wish to conduct a thorough inspection amid reports of contraband entering the jail -- which was placed on lockdown Friday.

He underlined that in addition to investigating the explosion, authorities would try to determine how an automatic submachine gun came into the inmate’s possession.