Guevarra orders NBI to look into deaths of nine high-profile inmates in New Bilibid Prisons

July 20, 2020

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Monday ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate the death of nine high-profile inmates, including Jaybee Sebastian, to verify the report of Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gerald Bantag they died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Guevarra gave the order after he met Bantag  to shed light on reports about the deaths of these inmates and the cremation of Sebastian, a co-accused in one of the illegal drug trade cases filed against detained opposition Senator Leila de Lima  before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court.

The justice department confirmed that Sebastian, who died due to COVID-19 infection on Saturday, had been cremated.

“As to Jaybee Sebastian, yes, BuCor has confirmed that he was cremated,”  Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete said in a text message.

Perete said the justice department is still awaiting the death certificates of the other deceased inmates.

Guevarra said BuCor is following a protocol that requires the agency to cremate the body of an inmate who died from COVID-19 within 12 hours. DMS