Palace leaves to DOJ to probe deaths of high profile inmates

July 20, 2020

Malacañang is leaving to the Department of Justice to conduct an investigation over the deaths of high-profile inmates, including a certain Jaybee Sebastian, at the New Bilibid Prison.

Sebastian, who testified against detained opposition Senator Leila de Lima,  died on July 18 allegedly due to coronavirus disease.

"Well, the Secretary of Justice has started already an investigation. The Palace is leaving this investigation to Secretary Menardo Guevarra," said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in a virtual press briefing.

Eighteen inmates, both at the NBP and the Correctional Institution for Women,  have died due to COVID-19 infection.

Sebastian, who was allegedly involved in a drug trade inside the penitentiary, testified in an investigation conducted under the Duterte administration against De Lima for allegedly receiving money from the illegal drug activities when she was still the Secretary of Justice during the previous administration. The Bureau of Corrections, which supervises the NBP, is under the Department of Justice.

De Lima, a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte even when he was still the mayor of Davao City, denied the allegation that she was involved and received kickbacks from the illegal drug trade.

Guevarra  summoned BuCor chief Gerald Bantag to shed light over the deaths at NBP.

Sebastian was convicted for kidnapping and carjacking in 2009. Celerina Monte/DMS