Bilibid riot: Jaybee Sebastian, 2 high-profile inmates hurt; 1 dead

In this July 2016 composite photo, Bilibid inmates Jaybee Sebastian and Peter Co faced Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa. PNP PIO/Released

MANILA, Philippines — One high-profile inmate on Wednesday morning passed away in a stabbing incident inside Building 14 of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), Muntinlupa City.

 

According to radio reports, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II confirmed the death of one inmate, Tony Co, while three other inmates, Jaybee Sebastian, Peter Co and Vicente Sy were hurt from the riot. They were rushed to the Medical Center ng Muntinlupa. Reports said Sebastian was stable.

 

Meanwhile, there were varying reports on drug lord Peter's condition with some saying he is 50/50 while others claim he is stable.

 

Initial reports from Aguirre said the riot started around 7:40 a.m. when Peter, Tony and Sy were caught using shabu. They were then reprimanded by Clarence Dungail, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief inspector.

 

“Sinaway ni Major Dungail at sinabing ‘wag nyo gawin yan lahat tayo mapapasama,” the Justice secretary said, adding that the three inmates felt bad and complained to Sebastian resulting in the riot.

 

In a radio interview, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) officer-in-charge, retired Chief Superintendent Rolando Asuncion, confirmed the stabbing incident in Building 14. He said there were seven to eight inmates involved in the riot. He added that Dungail was also hurt but refused to be brought to the hospital.

 

Asuncion said BuCor's initial investigation revealed that an inmate named Edgar Cinco witnessed Tony and the others taking drugs. He then told Dungail about it. Dungail went to the area where the pot session was happening, however, Tony charged towards Dungail and the riot started.

 

The BuCor official clarified that Dungail is considered as one of the inmate leaders while Sebastian and Peter are commandos. He said Sebastian obtained chest wounds.

favor

Due to the incident, Asuncion said the inmates involved in the riot would be transferred to other colonies. He said riots are usual occurrences inside the penitentiary.

 

“I still believe na hindi pa rin nakakalusot ang droga diyan at hindi pa rin compromised ang SAF (Special Action Force),” he added. The SAF was placed inside the NBP by the Duterte administration to handle security inside the prison.

 

Aguirre said Sebastian is still a key witness to the alleged NBP drug trade despite his earlier statement that the latter no longer needs to testify. Sebastian was invited to the House Committee on Justice probe into the proliferation of drugs inside the NBP.

 

“Hindi maganda para sa gobyerno na mamatay si Jaybee Sebastian dahil siya ay inaasahan na mag-spill ng beans tungkol kay De Lima,” Aguirre said.

 

Sebastian is allegedly a favored inmate who is in cahoots with former Justice secretary and now Sen. Leila De Lima.

 

On the other hand, Peter was mentioned by Duterte as one of the drug lords who continued to direct illegal drug operations from behind bars. Duterte said Peter is a drug triad member operating in Luzon and Metro Manila.

 

Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., who the president named for involvement in the narcotics trade, tagged Peter as his son Kerwin Espinosa Jr.’s source of drugs. — Rosette Adel via PhilStar