NBI ordered to join probe of Bilibid inmate’s killing

New Bilibid Prison. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Tuesday said he already ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to join the probe into the circumstances surrounding the death of an inmate inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

“In the interest of the public service and pursuant to the provisions of existing laws, [NBI] Director Dante A. Gierran…is hereby directed to compose an Investigation Team to conduct a parallel fact-finding investigation on the stabbing  incident that resulted to the death of inmate Efren Ventura,” Aguirre said in the Department Order 471 issued July 11, 2017.

The NBI has been required to submit a periodic report to Aguirre to give him updates on the progress of the probe.

The inmate, Efren Ventura was stabbed to death Monday afternoon. He was from Dorm 7 of the Maximum Security Compound of the NBP.

Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Chief Benjamin delos Santos confirmed the incident but refused to give details of the incident, saying it is still under investigation.

READ: Inmate killed inside NBP maximum security compound

Earlier, Aguirre ordered the NBI to investigate the resurgence of illegal drugs activity inside Bilibid.

He said while the authorities have already managed to stop 75 percent illegal drug trade inside Bilibid, new leaders have emerged and is attempting to start the drug trade.

The BuCor earlier filed a criminal case against a SAF member for staging a raid and pocketing P200,000 and a television set. JE/rga