DOJ not closing doors on Sebastian transfer

JAYBEE SEBASTIAN. FILE PHOTO

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II is open to the possible transfer of high profile inmate Jaybee Sebastian to a penal institution also under the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

Just like President Rodrigo Duterte, however, Aguirre is not keen on meeting the convicted kidnapper, who is serving time at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

READ: Duterte rejects talks with Jaybee Sebastian

Sebastian, who was convicted of kidnapping for ransom and carnapping, was one of the inmates injured following a riot inside Building 14 last Wednesday. He sustained stabbed wounds on his chest and back.

READ: De Lima Bilibid ‘asset’ hurt in riot; high-profile inmate killed

Senator Leila De Lima said Sebastian was a government asset when she was still head of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Aguirre, on the other hand, said witnesses identified Sebastian as the man who helped raised funds for the candidacy of De Lima.

READ: Jaybee Sebastian a gov’t asset? Stupid, says Aguirre

Sebastian’s lawyer was earlier quoted in a report as saying that they are keen on requesting Sebastian’s transfer due to threats to his life.

“If it is necessary for his security, we will consider,” Aguirre said.

However, he said he no longer wants to talk to Sebastian after an ‘emissary’ told him that Sebastian only wanted to talk about food anomalies inside prison./rga