THE three high-profile inmates confined in a hospital after being hurt in last Wednesday's rumble in New Bilibid Prison's (NBP) building 14 will temporarily return to the building housing high valued inmates after their discharge, Bureau of Correction (Bucor) officer-in-charge said Monday.
In a phone interview, Bucor chief Rolando Asuncion said that all the three injured inmates Peter Co, Marvin Sy and top Bilibid drug trader, Jaybee Sebastian will return to the penal colony after their discharge from the Muntinlupa Medical Center.
"Kung madi-discharge sila pansamantala sa building 14 muna sila," Asuncion said.
This developed amid the security threats Sebastian has claimed to receive after being tagged in the illegal drug trade inside the NBP.
In a separate interview with Bucor spokesperson Sonny del Rosario, he said that it is safer for Sebastian, Co and Sy to remain in the Building 14 as the other inmates involved in the riot were already transferred to the Criminal Investigation Detection Group (CIDG) headquarters.
"Mas safe sila dun dahil wala na dun yung apat," he said.
Del Rosario confirmed that on Sunday, four high valued inmates, Clarence Dongail, Tomas Doniña, Edgar Cinco and Ruben Tiu involved in the rumble were transferred to Camp Crame in Quezon City.
This was after the CIDG requested for the custody of the four inmates while the probe on the riot is still ongoing. CIDG is the lead agency investigating the issue.
According to Bucor OIC Asuncion, the inmates will be transferred to the maximum security compound after they have prepared new cells that will house the high profile inmates.
"Sa building 14 muna hanggat hindi pa kami nakakagawa ng lugar para sa kanila sa maximum... To be frank. Nagpapatingin ako ng lugar sa maximum na malapit din sa building 14 para hagip rin ng mga jammers," he said.
The maximum security compound can accommodate up to 4,000 inmates. But according to the bucor chief, more than 16 thousand inmates are now detained in the said penal colony.
Sebastian's request
Bucor chief Asuncion said the Bucor now has the copy of the request of inmate Sebastian to be transferred in other penal colony.
According to Asuncion, Sebastian, alleged to be the NBP's top drug trader requested to be transferred from Building 14 to maximum security compound.
"It is a letter requesting that Sebastian be transferred from building 14 to maximum...Nakakapagtaka." Asuncion said.
Eduardo Arriba, Sebastian's lawyer, earlier disclosed in media interviews that his client would like to be transferred to another penal colony citing security reasons.
He also revealed that even before the riot erupted, Sebastian already consulted him about the transfer because of the "imminent threats and danger" to Sebastian's life.
Asuncion said the Bucor is now looking into Sebastian's request.
"Pinagaaralan namin kung yun ay ikabubuti niya," he said.
When asked whether he thinks the reason why Sebastian would like to be transferred in maximum security compound is because of the recently installed jammer, the officer said, "maari (perhaps)."
Asuncion said the two-million worth jammers installed in NBP's building 14 last Monday is "very effective."
The Bucor chief said they will send a copy of Sebastian's request to the Department of Justice (DOJ) after they have already disclosed their recommendations to the Justice Secretary.
Sebastian, a potential witness in the congressional inquiry on drug proliferation, earlier said that he was the target of the riot after inmate-witnesses tagged him in illegal drug trade.
The witnesses claimed that Sebastian helped then Justice Secretary Leila de Lima in his senatorial bid through raising funds from illegal drug trade in Bilibid in exchange of favor and protection. (Sunnex)
