Sotto sees link in Bilibid stabbing to Senate probe

MANILA, Philippines—Suspecting a possible link in the ongoing probe on the convicts’ release,  Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to  conduct a “full-blown” investigation into the stabbing incident where a prison guard was wounded inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Thursday morning.

Sotto brought up the stabbing incident  during the hearing of the Senate committee on justice.

“The thing  is, Mr.  Chairman, the prison guard is the father of a Sergeant-At Arms, a legislative security here right now so I can’t help but think of a probable connection,” the Senate leader said.

“So perhaps  considering we have some inmates with us now, I suggest  a full-blown investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation of the stabbing of the father of the Sergeant at Arms personnel,” he added.

An initial investigation reportedly showed that Duty Officer Edgardo Ferrer was stabbed by an inmate reportedly suffering from schizophrenia.

READ: Inmate inside Bilibid stabs prison guard

“We are told that the guard was stabbed by an inmate. Sinalubong lang sya at ang sabi ay ‘Pare papatayin na kita. And then he stabbed him,” Sotto said. /jpv