On September 28 one of two stabbing incidents in the New Bilibid Prison was a plot to kill alleged drug lord Jaybee Sebastian – to stop him from testifying against Bilibid Queen Leila De Lima.
This was confessed by the assailant himself in a sworn affidavit, according to findings presented by the Philippine National Police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. The findings are the result of the police probe on the alleged riot that killed convicted drug lord Tony Co and injured three other high profile inmates, including Sebastian.
Supt. Francisco Ebreo, who led the CIDG investigation, said Tomas Doniña attempted to kill Sebastian upon orders of his friend at the Philippine Navy, whom he did not name.
"Pinagtangakaan niyang patayin itong si Jaybee Sebastian sa kadahilanang may kumausap sa kanya na isang dati niyang kasamahan sa Philippine Navy na dapat ay gawan niya ng paraan na mapatahimik at mapatay si Jaybee Sebastian para 'di siya makapagsalita laban kay Ma'am Leila De Lima ukol sa paglaganap ng droga sa New Bilibid Prison," Ebreo said, quoting Doniña's affidavit.
The PNP-CIDG report found that there was no riot or rumble, contrary to what officials from the Bureau of Corrections and the Justice Department earlier said. Management of Bilibid rests with the BuCor, which is under the jurisdiction of the Justice Department.
"No riot or tumultuous affray occurred. What transpired was two separate and simultaneous stabbing incidents inside the makeshift room of Tony Co and at the mess hall area," Ebreo said.
The PNP-CIDG report also found no common cause in the attack against Sebastian and that of three other inmates.
The other stabbing incident occurred as inmate Clarence Dongail, a former police chief inspector, tried to stop Tony Co, Peter Co, and Vicente Sy from using illegal drugs. Inmate Edgar Cinco told Dongail that he saw the three fellow inmates in a pot session which could put them in bad light if the SAF troopers manning the Bilibid find out.
The PNP-CIDG found Dongail liable for the death of Tony Co, and injuries of Peter Co and Sy. Cinco was also found liable for Peter Co's injuries.
Doniña was found responsible for Sebastian's stab wounds.
The PNP-CIDG has not filed cases against the accused, saying the investigation was for the purpose of fact-finding alone.
It also said the PNP-SAF are not guilty of any irregularities and the management of the BuCOr and the New Bilibid Prison responded appropriately.
The CIDG, however, recommended the following:
- Installation of additional CCTV cameras
- Segregation of inmates according to nationality, crimes committed, prison terms, notoriety, and gang affiliation
- Issuance of Operational Guidelines for delineation of duties between the BuCor and SAF
- Conduct of regular survey operations
- Reporting to local police for major criminal cases such as killings, rape, illegal drugs
- Installation of metal detectors and K9 units in all entrance and visiting areas of the maximum security compound especially at Building 14, where high-profile inmates are held
- Crime Scene Investigation training activities
The National Bureau of Investigation said it did not push through with its own investigation upon learning that the CIDG was already conducting its own fact-finding probe.
Source: CNN Philippines
Source: CNN Philippines