THE eight inmates at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) who were reported to have died due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) “gradually disappeared” while confined at a special site inside the national penitentiary, the murder complaint filed by the National Bureau of Investigation indicated.
The NBI has charged before the Department of Justice (DOJ) 22 policemen and a doctor for the deaths of the eight high-profile inmates, whose deaths from May to June 2020 were reported by the Bureau of Corrections to be due to the virus.
In filing the murder cases, the NBI said their investigation showed that COVID-19 may have been used by the respondent police officers as a cover for the deaths of the Bilibid inmates, noting that the eight did not “exhibit neither chronic symptom of COVID-19 nor were they observed to be weak or particularly ill.”
It quoted witnesses as saying that the prisoners were well, lively, and normal before they were taken to Site Harry, a special facility located at Building 4 of the NBP maximum security compound which was set up in 2020 as an isolation facility for inmates infected with COVID-19.
The eight who died from May to June 2020 allegedly due to COVID-19 were Francis Go (May 28, 2020), Shuli Zhang (May 30), Jimmy Ang (June 1), Eugene Chua (June 2), Benjamin Marcelo (June 2), Sherwin Sanchez (June 4), Amin Imam Boratong (June 5) and Willy Yang (June 17).
All of them were convicted for drug trafficking, except for Sanchez who was serving sentence for murder.
The NBI said the witnesses’ testimony that the eight inmates were not sick before they were brought to Site Harry were inconsistent with the statements of the NCRPO personnel who said the prisoners were on “emergency” situation and that they had to administer intervention to ensure their well-being.
The NBI noted that the inmates died immediately after being transferred to the “comfortable” isolation rooms.
Likewise, the NBI said a “significant amount of time” lapsed before the said inmates were brought to the NBP hospital where they were declared dead on arrival either due to cardiac or pulmonary arrest.
The NBI said records also described them to be “gasping for air” or having “difficulty in breathing” before they died.
“The significant amount of time that passed before the needed medical intervention would have been given to victims makes any man of reasonable mind question the intent of the [respondents] in failing to immediately bring the victims to the nearest medical facility,” the NBI said.
After they died, the NBI said the remains of the inmates were immediately cremated by the NCRPO officers, a protocol imposed by the government for all individuals who die to the virus.
Investigators said the cremation of the inmates was “final act to consummate and cover-up the scheme to kill” the prisoners.
Named respondents in the NBI complaint were Police Major Lymel John Hayahay Pasquin; SSgts. Rannel Tanajura Gadiano and Christian Aragon Mercarsos; and Cpls. Laurence Rallos Antiporta, Jhunben Oca Alegado, Jayson Lequin Anunuevo, Rosanie Mujeres Bernales, Michael Hellacone Buco, Rolex Margaja Burgonia, Jopjy Tagmayon Buot, Gilwen Basallo Garcia, Edmar Ilustisimo Gerra, Archien Auman Grapa, Vernardo Vispo Into, Ener Perez Restauro, Banedy Taliporos Solante, Jernie Mata Tiongzon, and Jan Anthon Rodulf Tabotabo Uy, Patrolmen Roland Butch Pelostratus Duran, James Gemetiza Aninapon and Rey Reponte Fernandez; and Dr. Beverly de Guzman.
BuCor spokesperson Gabriel Chaclag said they would leave it to the NBI to explain their case before state prosecutors.
“Hayaan na siguro natin na ang NBI na ang magpaliwanag sa piskalya kung ano ‘yung kanilang alegasyon (We should let the NBI explain to the fiscal what are the basis of their allegations),” Chaclag said.
Chaclag said the BuCor is proud of its response and intervention program to avert the spread of the COVID-19 virus in its penal detention facilities, particularly in the national penitentiary.
Asked about the NBI probe report, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the DOJ will “review” the report.
It was former Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra who ordered the NBI to investigate the deaths of the eight inmates following the death of inmate Jaybee Sebastian allegedly due to COVID-19. Sebastian had earlier linked detained former senator Leila de Lima to the narcotics trade inside the NBP, a charge that the latter has repeatedly denied.
