Makabayan bloc seeks probe into deaths of high-profile Bilibid inmates

MANILA, Philippines — The Makabayan bloc at the House of Representatives on Thursday said it will file a resolution seeking to investigate the deaths of high-profile inmates inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

“Ang Makabayan bloc ay pormal din na maghahain ng  isang panukalang resolusyon para imbestigahan itong kontrobersya again hounding our Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) dito sa usapin ng mga high-profile inmates,” Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Zarate said in an online press conference.

(The Makabayan Bloc will formally file a resolution to investigate this controversy involving the Bureau of Corrections regarding high-profile inmates.)

In a text message to INQUIRER.net,  Bayan Muna staff said that the resolution is still being drafted, and will either be filed Thursday or Friday.

This comes after reports that nine high-profile inmates, including Jaybee Sebastian, died allegedly of COVID-19 while detained at the NBP.

Sebastian, who was convicted for kidnap-for-ransom and carjacking in 2009, was also a key government witness in the Bilibid drug trade, that also implicated detained Senator Leila de Lima.

After news broke of the inmates’ deaths, social media was rife with conspiracy theories on whether they truly died, or if they were allowed to escape prison.

According to Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga, no autopsies were conducted on the bodies before they were cremated at the Panteon de Dasmariñas in Cavite.

“Sa dami na nagaganap na pagsisinungaling ng mga kapangyarihan, hindi natin masisisi ang mga nagdududa lalo na ang mga nagaganap ay walang matibay at malinaw na proseso na ginagawa ng  kinauukulan tulad ng BuCor,” Bayan Muna Representative Eufemia Cullamat said about the circumstances regarding the inmates’ deaths.

(With so many lies from those in power, we cannot blame those who speculate, especially with the things happening right now that have no clear procedure coming from the BuCor.)

“Kaya dapat lang na imbestigahan ang pangyayaring ito (That’s why this must be investigated),” she added.

EDV