DOJ to leave no stone unturned in mysterious Bilibid ‘deaths’
THE Department of Justice (DOJ) will leave no stone unturned in its investigation into the deaths of at least eight high-profile inmates of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City to hold the perpetrators accountable.
“We are looking deeper into the matter. There are facts we need to validate from NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) to hold all those involved accountable,” Atty. Mico Clavano from the Office of the Justice Secretary said.
According to Clavano, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla met with NBI Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Medardo de Lemos on Monday to discuss the complaint filed against 22 police officers implicated in the Bilibid deaths.
“A meeting was held between SOJ and NBI Dir. yesterday (Monday). The issue was discussed, and SOJ (Secretary of Justice) wanted to validate the facts already presented but would like to inquire more into the incident,” Clavano said.
Last week, the NBI filed murder charges against 22 police officers of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) who were assigned to the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) at the time of the inmates’ deaths.
“Mayroong natuklasan ‘yung ating Death Investigation Division agents na mukhang mayroong sistema o mayroong pamamaraan sila paanong magkaroon nga ng Covid o kaya ay palabasin na namatay ito sa Covid [COVID-19]. May criminal intent,” NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin said.
“Kahina-hinala dahil ‘yung iba walang… hindi nagmanifest ng sintomas. Sinasabi nilang nag-positive. At noong napatay na, noong swinab-test, ito ay nag-negative,” added Lavin.
Following the death of high-profile inmate Jaybee Niño Sebastian and seven other prominent inmates inside the NBP, the NBI was formally tasked to launch an investigation.
In DOJ Order No. 179, the NBI, through former OIC Eric Distor, was directed to launch a probe and file charges against anyone if necessary.
Sebastian reportedly died while undergoing treatment at the NBP hospital due to acute myocardial infarction as a complication of COVID-19.
Sebastian hogged the headlines when he testified before a House committee investigating the alleged involvement of detained Sen. Leila de Lima in the illegal drugs trade in 2016.
From May to July 2020, at least eight inmates from Bilibid’s Maximum Security Compound and Building 14 died of COVID-19, including Sebastian.
