The Senate wants to determine if high-value convicts linked to drug trafficking from behind bars are more susceptible to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) following the deaths of several inmates at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).
Senate President Vicente Sotto III pushed for the investigation as he filed a resolution yesterday seeking an inquiry into the deaths of 21 inmates due to the coronavirus plus 24 others suspected to be COVID cases amid rumors of body-switching and failure of NBP officials to follow protocols in cremating bodies.
“Due to unclear, inaccurate and unverified reports, speculations are now being made as to whether or not these NBP inmates actually died due to COVID-19,” Sotto said in his Resolution 468.
He cited reports that no autopsies were conducted on the bodies, and these were cremated without being removed from body bags.
Sotto also cited a report from a police official who theorized that the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) could have simply declared the death of a high-value inmate and had the body of another inmate cremated.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday confirmed that high-value convict Jaybee Niño Sebastian, who testified against Sen. Leila de Lima in her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade in the NBP, had died of COVID-19.
DOJ Undersecretary Markk Perete said that during a two-hour meeting of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra with BuCor director general Gerald Bantag, it was disclosed that the 40-year-old Sebastian died of the severe respiratory disease on July 17.
“As to Jaybee Sebastian, yes, BuCor has confirmed that he was cremated,” Perete said.
Denne historien er fra July 21, 2020-utgaven av The Philippine Star.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July 21, 2020-utgaven av The Philippine Star.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
ALI ind'l unit heating up cold storage business
The industrial real estate unit of property giant Ayala Land Inc is heating up its cold storage business as it looks to become a major player in the segment over the next five years.
Financial resources grow 10% as of July
The total resources of the country's financial system breached the P32-trillion level, posting a double-digit growth in the first seven months of the year, preliminary data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed.
Gov't urged to assist online sellers in BIR registration
Online entrepreneurs should be given proper assistance to comply with Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) registration requirements as the tax agency starts a crackdown on unregistered entities, an advocacy group said.
FLI diversifies into condotels
Filinvest Land Inc.(FLI) is adding the condotel business in its diverse project portfolio with the acquisition of outstanding shares in Fora Services Inc. (FOSI).
Maya, Grab team up for instant credit
Digital lender Maya Bank has partnered with Grab Philippines to offer instant credit services among eligible users, boosting Filipinos' access to financial solutions while integrating more convenience into their daily lives.
SMIC sees better H2 performance
Analysts see a stronger second half performance for the investment holding company of the Sy family.
SM Hotels taps TUV Rheinland for food safety, hygiene policies
SM Hotels and Conventions Corp.(SMHCC) has tapped testing service provider TUV Rheinland to ensure the highest standards of safety and quality for dining experiences.
Expanded regulatory power of GCG pushed
The Governance Commission on GOCCS (GCG) is expected to expand its regulatory powers once the 13-year-old law surrounding its mandate is amended.
Compliance woes stall Pag-IBIG home loan releases
The Home Development Mutual Fund, commonly known as Pag-IBIG Fund, is facing challenges in the release of its housing loans, with only a little over 50 percent of the target reached as of August.
Phl bond market slows in Q2
Philippine bond market growth moderated in the second quarter from the previous quarter due to lower government and corporate issuances, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said.
