Sebastian: De Lima was my protector in Bilibid drug trade

Witness Jaybee Sebastian testifies during the Congressional hearing and inquiry on illegal drug trade in National Bilibid Prison, October 10, 2016.INQUIRER PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

Convicted kidnapper Jaybee Sebastian on Monday tagged Senator Leila De Lima as his protector in the drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison.

During the last day of the House of Representatives inquiry into the drug proliferation at Bilibid, Sebastian was asked if De Lima was his protector or his business associate in the Bilibid drug trade.

“Mas okay na ang protector, ganun ang dating eh,” Sebastian responded.

(It’s better to call her “protector,” that’s how it came across.)

Sebastian vehemently denied that he was a government asset, hinting that De Lima may have also wanted him dead when the senator in a press briefing claimed Sebastian was a government asset.

READ: Sebastian denies he’s De Lima asset, seeks immunity from suit

“Gusto niya ata mamatay ako sa Building 14. Biruin niyo, sinabi niya na asset ako. Delikado talaga ako dun,” Sebastian said.

(It’s as if she wanted me killed in Building 14. Can you believe it, she said I was her asset. That put me danger.)

Sebastian was almost killed in a Sept. 29 riot at the Bilibid in an apparent attempt by inmate Clarence Dongail to have him killed to prevent him from testifying at the congressional hearing, Sebastian said.

READ: Jaybee Sebastian gives own version on Bilibid riot

Sebastian said he did not even sign any papers to be a government asset.

“Sinasadya ata nilang bitawan on national TV para mapatay na ako at tumigil na ako eh (Maybe it was intentionally said on national TV so that I’d get killed),” Sebastian said.

“Logically, hindi tama na sa nationwide TV, isang bilanggo kasama niya ibang bilanggo (i-announce na) na government asset siya (it’s not right that on national TV, an inmate is announced as a government asset),” Sebastian added.

Sebastian said De Lima put his life at risk when she alleged Sebastian was a government asset.

“The fact na in-announce niya na asset ako, nilagay na niya sa peligro buhay ko (The fact that I was announced as an asset put my life in danger),” Sebastian said.

Sebastian claimed the drug proliferation at the Bilibid was all De Lima’s fault.

“Sa takbo ng kwento, si Secretary De Lima talaga ang may kasalanan (As the story goes, it’s really all Secretary De Lima’s fault),” Sebastian said.

READ: Sebastian denies being De Lima’s ‘favored’ drug lord

In his affidavit, Sebastian admitted that he raised P10 million funds for De Lima from the drug trade and gave the payola to De Lima’s former aide Jonel Sanchez, who Sebastian alleged had a relationship with De Lima.

Sebastian also denied he was a favored drug lord of De Lima, adding that he was only put to the situation to be the lone fund raiser of De Lima after the latter led a raid in the Bilibid that pulled out 19 inmates.

The 19 inmates, led by robbery convict Herbert Colanggo, were said to be Sebastian’s competitors in the drug trade.

Sebastian however denied that he gave the marching orders to the gang leaders to raise campaign funds for De Lima. JE/rga

READ: Sebastian denies ordering gang leaders to raise funds for De Lima

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