BY HANNAH TORREGOZA
Some senators have expressed their support to calls for an in-depth probe into the deaths of high-profile inmates at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) allegedly due to COVID-19.
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chair of the Senate committee on health and demography, said he supports a legislative inquiry into the death of Jaybee Sebastian, a key witness in the alleged prison drug trade involving Sen. Leila de Lima, who allegedly died due to the coronavirus disease.
Sebastian’s body was reportedly cremated and no autopsy was conducted. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he has summoned Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag to explain the COVID-19 deaths inside NBP.
“Kailangang mabigyang linaw kung ano ang naging sanhi ng pagkamatay at kung may pagkukulang ba ang mga otoridad sa pangyayaring ito,” Go said in a text message to reporters.
While the Department of Justice (DoJ) probe is ongoing, Go said he supports Senate President Vicente Sotto III’s plan to file a resolution calling for a Senate investigation into the issue.
“Bukod rito, at bilang Chair ng Senate Committee on Health, nais rin nating alamin kung paano masisiguro na ang kalusugan at kapakanan ng mga nasa kulungan ay maaalagaan,” he said.
“I reiterate that it is every Filipino’s right to receive medical and health care, especially now that we are still in the middle of a global health crisis.
“Ukol naman sa epekto nito sa kaso ni Sen. Leila de Lima, that is for the courts to decide,” the senator pointed out.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros also welcomed a Senate probe into the matter: “Dapat aksyunan ito ng BuCor, hindi lang para sa mga high-profile inmates kung di pati na rin para sa lahat ng Pilipinong nakapiit sa Bibilid.” (Hannah Torregoza)
