Speaker Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez on Wednesday said the riot at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) that hurt purported government asset Jaybee Sebastian could be linked to the House investigation into the illegal drug trade inside the national penitentiary. Alvarez said he suspected that there were “forces” who wanted to derail Sebastian’s testimony at the House justice committee investigation into the alleged Bilibid drug trade implicating Sen. Leila De Lima. Alvarez also added that he found it suspicious the riot targeted the next witness to testify in the congressional investigation.
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, and 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.
Just when the House planned to summon Sebastian to testify about the drug trade that allegedly raised campaign funds for De Lima, a riot ensued Wednesday morning at the maximum security compound that left Sebastian and drug lord Peter Co hurt.
The riot occurred at about 7:30 a.m., when fellow inmate, convicted police officer Clarence Dongail caught inmates Peter Co, Tony Co, and Vicente Sy having a “pot session” inside their cell.
Tony Co reportedly went to the cell of Sebastian and Dongail and attacked Dongail with a knife, sparking the riot. Tony Co was killed in the riot. Peter Co is in critical condition.
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.
