NBI, PDL witness inspect Site Harry where high profile inmates allegedly killed

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday reenacted the alleged killing of drug lord Eugene Chua at the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) based on the sworn statement of a detainee who alleged that several high-profile inmates did not die of COVID-19 but were killed in the penitentiary.

In John Consulta’s report on “24 Oras,” inmate Rodel Tiaga joined the NBI Death Investigation Division for its ocular inspection in Site Harry, the quarantine facility inside the NBP where Chua was allegedly murdered.

Tiaga said he and eight other individuals were transferred to the isolation facility on May 23, 2020, from Building 14. He showed authorities his designated area and the portion of the room where prisoners involved in illegal drugs were kept.

“Dito 'yung papuntang Site Harry. Dito sa hallway na 'to, dito dinadaan 'yung cadaver,” the detainee said.

(This is the direction towards Site Harry. Here’s the hallway where the cadavers pass by when being moved.)

Further, Tiaga recalled his conversation with drug lord Amin Boratong who also died due to the dreaded coronavirus according to the Bureau of Corrections.

“Tol, bakit may mga inilalabas dyan na cadaver bag? Ang sagot sakin ni Amin ‘eh san manggagaling 'yan eh tayo tayo lang naman ang nandito?' Sa tuwing may kukunin sa isolation, hindi na nakakabalik pero ang sabi nila inililipat lang don sa aircon na isolation na wala naman,” he said.

(I asked him ‘brother, why are they taking out those cadaver bags?’ He told me it could not have come from anywhere since we’re the only ones there. I also noticed that whenever someone is transferred to another isolation room, he never comes back. Authorities said they were moved to an airconditioned room but there is no such facility here.)

Although his life had already been threatened thrice, Tiaga said he would not retract his statements to bring justice to the deaths of the high-profile prisoners.

“Sinamantala lang nila 'yung pandemya na 'yan sa pagpatay ng mga inmate na talaga namang para lang manok kung patayin. Gusto ko magkaroon ng hustisya 'yung mga pangyayari. 'Yung pagkamatay ng mga kasama ko sa Site Harry...Wala sir. Walang atrasan. Hanggang sa dulo haharapin ko 'yang mga 'yan,” he added.

(They took advantage of the pandemic in killing those inmates. They were killed like chicken. I want to bring justice to what happened. I will not back down.)

The NBI said it would continue to investigate and gather more evidence for the case.

“Ipagpapatuloy natin ang pangangalap ng ebidensya. Mag-i-interview tayo ng mga maaaring may nalalaman at kukunan natin ng statements. At 'yung pag-ocular inspection kanina, kasama 'yan sa ating pagsisiyasat,” NBI Deputy Director Jojo Yap said.

(We’ll continue to gather evidence. We will interview those who may have information. The ocular inspection earlier was also part of the probe.)—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News