Some high-profile Bilibid inmates didn't die of COVID-19, were killed –PDL

An inmate at the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) on Tuesday alleged that several high-profile inmates who died at the national penitentiary did not die from illnesses but were killed.

In John Consulta’s report on “24 Oras”, detainee Rodel Tiaga recalled witnessing the alleged murder of drug lord Eugene Chua at “Site Harry” — the designated quarantine facility at the NBP for those who tested positive for the coronavirus.

According to his medical certificate, Chua died of cardiopulmonary arrest due to COVID-19 on June 2, 2020.

“Natakot ako, sir. Iniisip ko na 'yung nangyayari sa kanila, pwedeng mangyari sa akin,” said Tiaga, who was working as an orderly at Site Harry.

(I got scared, I thought what happened to them would happen to me.)

“Doon na... ginawa lang sya sa supot. 'Yung isa nakahawak sa tali, 'yung isa nakahawak sa supot. Ginanon kay Eugene, hatakan silang dalawa. Sinaklob sa ulo... hanggang sa bumagsak si Eugene sa harap nila,” he said.

(They put a plastic bag over Eugene’s head and two people pulled it until he collapsed in front of them.)

Tiaga also said a “frontliner” asked him to wash the plastic bag used to kill Chua.

“Frontliner po nagbigay sakin eh. Sabi nya, 'Del, pakihugasan mo ito.' Hinugasan ko po dun sa public CR. Meron kasi dun tub na andon 'yung hugasan. Iniisip ko nga sir baka ito 'yung gamitin sa akin,” he added.

(A frontliner handed the bag and told me to clean it. I washed it at the public CR because there’s a tub there… I was thinking that maybe they’ll use it on me.)

As to why he was now speaking up, the inmate said: “Alam naman natin ang panahon nila Bantag eh talaga namang siguro kung magsasalita ka ng dalawa... ipanganganib ng buhay mo 'yun. Ngayon sir, kumbaga payapa”.

(We all know that during Bantag’s time, talking about anything may cost your life. But right now, everything is peaceful.)

Bureau of Corrections Chief Gerald Bantag was temporarily removed from office amid the investigation into the death of broadcaster Percy Lapid.

GMA Integrated News reached out to Bantag for his comments but he has yet to respond as of posting time.

The National Bureau of Investigation, for their part, said they will use Tiaga’s statements in their probe into the deaths of other high-profile inmates at the penitentiary.

Other prisoners who died due to COVID-19 at the NBP are Jaybee Sebastian, Francis Go, Willy Yang, Benjamin Marcelo, Zhang Zhu Li, Jimmy Kinsing Hung, Ryan Ong, and Amin Buratong. — Sundy Locus/DVM, GMA Integrated News