BuCor chief Bantag denies using COVID-19 pandemic as cover to 'execute' inmates

Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag on Thursday dismissed allegations that inmates inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) were being executed with officials using COVID-19 crisis to cover it up.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, Bantag maintained that the recent deaths of 21 inmates, including high-profile ones, were due to the COVID-19 infection.

“Ang confirmed [COVID-19 cases] natin na total ay nasa 258. Ngayon naka-recover ang 230. Eh sana patay lahat 'yun. Ano ako, si Satanas na para sabihin ko kay COVID na patayin lahat 'yan?” Bantag said.

“Paano nila sasabihin na ganun?”

Bantag made the statement when asked about the concerns of some relatives that the inmates did not really die of COVID-19 but were actually executed inside the national penitentiary.

Among those who perished from the highly communicable disease was Jaybee Sebastian, a high-profile convict who testified against Senator Leila de Lima during a congressional hearing on the alleged illegal drug trade inside the NBP.

Sebastian's death was initially subject to speculations until the BuCor presented photos of his corpse that were taken before it was cremated.

Bantag, who has dismissed conspiracy theories surrounding Sebastian's death, said they have sent reports to the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Justice (DOJ) about the deaths of the 21 inmates.

He said the national penitentiary has been observing health protocols to avoid the spread of the virus, stressing that they did not neglect the sick inmates.

According to Bantag, families of the deceased inmates have been duly notified about the deaths.

He explained that they failed to ask for the families’ authorization for the cremation because of the DOH protocol of immediate cremation of the remains of COVID-19 cases.

Bantag vowed that BuCor will consider getting the authorization of concerned families first next time.

On Monday, Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) chairperson Dante Jimenez said they want assurance that there was no foul play on the deaths of the prisoners.

Senate President Vicente Sotto also filed a resolution seeking a Senate inquiry on the death and cremation of the inmates who supposedly tested positive for COVID-19.

The National Bureau of Investigation and the Commission on Human Rights are conducting parallel probes into these reports. —KBK, GMA News