After Leviste, DoJ eyes Go, others

MANILA, Philippines—After addressing the “prison break” of former Batangas Gov. Jose Antonio Leviste, the Department of Justice is training its sights on possible prison anomalies involving convicted road-rage killer Rolito Go and other VIP inmates at the state penitentiary.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Thursday ordered Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III to continue investigating reported irregularities in the New Bilibid Prison involving Bureau of Corrections officials.

“I got orders from the justice secretary to proceed with the investigation of all other possible anomalies and escapes that took place in the past prior to the Leviste incident,” Baraan told reporters.

In particular, he said, De Lima wanted a thorough investigation into the special privileges extended to high profile prisoners like Go, previous irregularities involving Leviste and “other violations of prison rules.”

Baraan said he was also tasked to check on the purported existence of “zombies,” or inmates who are used to carry out assassinations, robberies and other crimes.

“We’re looking at the possibility that some inmates were allowed to escape in the past,” he said.