Manila - Hundreds of inmates in a central Philippine city jail who gained international prominence dancing to Michael Jackson's hit song "Thriller" in 2007 were saddened Friday by the untimely death of the music pop icon.

The inmates at the provincial jail in Cebu City, 585 kilometres south of Manila, were scheduled to pay tribute to Jackson on Saturday, dancing to at least 15 songs of their late idol.

Byron Garcia, a security consultant in the jail, said the inmates were very much affected when they learned Jackson died.

"The inmates are still in grief after learning that their idol is already dead," he told reporters. "If it weren't for 'Thriller' the Cebu inmates wouldn't have global recognition."

In 2007, more than 1,400 Cebu inmates, jailed for crimes ranging from petty theft to murder, performed a dance routine from the music video of "Thriller."

Garcia uploaded the video on YouTube and it became an instant hit.

Local radio stations in the country played songs of Jackson in tribute to the King of Pop, who held a jam-packed concert in Manila in 1996. (dpa)