Some officials of the BuCor might face administrative charges if it is proven that they have committed violations surrounding the death of high-profile inmates inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).
“Ito mga preso iyong hawak mo, mga high-profile prisoners, ‘di mo sasabihin sa superior officers mo? ‘Di mo sasabihin sa Justice? ‘Di mo sasabihin sa Presidente? ‘Di ka magre-report? (You are holding high-profile prisoners and you do not tell your superior officers? Will you not update the Justice and the President? Will you not report? My goodness, what kind of country are we running?” Senator Richard Gordon queried.
Gordon pointed out that data privacy does not cover persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) and that the explanation of the BuCor behind its move not to immediately report what happened is unacceptable. A Senate hearing on the matter has been set for next week.
The BuCor claimed it did not violate anything and merely followed protocols of the DOH in terms of processing fatalities of contagious diseases like the COVID-19.
The Bucor disclosed that Jaybee Sebastian started feeling the symptoms of the disease last June. The bureau also dismissed the accusation of body switching since they have images to prove he was cremated.
“We all documented all those, kung ano man iyong mga deaths. May mga medical records naman to show it (We documented all those deaths.There are medical records to show it),” Atty. Hobert Luz of the BuCor stated.
Meanwhile, Senator Franklin Drilon admitted he is “tempted to say fire him [BuCor Chief Gerald Bantag] and dismiss him, because he appears to be oblivious of the issue of public interest.”
Bantag in a separate statement confirmed he is willing to face the lawmakers and tell the truth. – Report from Eunice Samonte
