Probers looking at two versions of Bilibid riot

Authorities on Wednesday afternoon said they were looking at two versions of the riot inside the New Bilibid Prison's Building 14, which left one high-profile dead and four others wounded.

Undersecretary Reynante Orceo of the Department of Justice said in a press conference hours after the riot that the two versions were based on testimonies of those involved in the stabbing incident, including those of former police chief inspector Clarence Dongail, and drug lords Jaybee Sebastian and Peter Co.

Orceo said the two versions came from the initial interviews of the detainees since there is still no conclusive proof as to what really happened.

“At this time, we still have no final conclusive proof kung ano nangyari talaga. That’s why we are presenting the two views,” he said.

Dongail’s version

In an earlier announcement, Bureau of Corrections acting chief Rolando Asuncion said Dongail claimed that Chinese drug lord Tony Co attacked him with a bladed weapon.

Dongail sustained minor wounds in the legs. Tony Co, meanwhile, died of several stab wounds.

The former policeman claimed that he was attacked by Tony Co after he reprimanded the three Chinese nationals, including Vicente Sy, for having a shabu session inside Building 14.

BuCor spokesperson Sonny Del Rosario said Dongail told them in his initial interview that inmate Edgar Cinco informed him of the session of the three which prompted the former to call their attention.

“Clarence Dongail went to the three and pinagsabihan niya. Sabi niya ‘wag naman ganyan at nadadamay tayong lahat lalo na pag nalaman ng SAF yan’. Parang pinagsabihan niya lang pagkatapos umalis na siya at umupo sa isang area,” he said.

“Pinunthan siya ni Tony Co. Ang nangyari, Tony Co hit him, tinamaan sa hita tapos nag-rumble na. Doon na nangyari yung stabbing incidents,” Del Rosario added.

However, Orceo said authorities recovered no shabu from Tony Co's room and was backed by inmates’ testimonies.

Police Guard 1 Dennis Alfonso also echoed the pronouncement of Orceo saying, “Sa initial na pagdating namin doon as first respondent, wala kaming nakuhang bagay na mag-uugnay sa droga.”

Orceo added he already instructed the BuCor to conduct random drug testing on the inmates starting at those confined at the hospital to ensure the inmates are drug-free.         

Sebastian’s claim

Meanwhile, Orceo said that based on Sebastian's claim, he was watching TV at the mess hall when he was attacked by another inmate named Tomas Doniña.

Sebastian also claimed that Doniña was seen talking with Dongail before he was attacked.

“Sa Initial interview kay Jaybee, sinabi niya na ang sumaksak sa kanya mula sa likod ay si Tomas Doniña. Bago ang saksak na yun ni Tomas Doniña ay kausap niya si Clarence Dongail sa mess hall habang si Jaybee nanood ng TV,” Alfonso said.

Orceo said Sebastian's claim was consistent with the testimony of Peter Co, who said Dongail invited him to Tony Co's sleeping quarters.

“Makikita mo na halos tugma yung kay Peter Co and kay Jaybee Sebastian. Naiba lang talaga yung kay Clarence Dongail,” he said.

Orceo added based on initial investigations, it appears Sebastian was really the target of Doniña.

“Based on the investigations so far, mukhang si Jaybee pa nga ang inatake ng ibang inmates. Yun si Tomas Doniña,” Orceo said.

Peter Co allegedly asked Sy to come with him to Tony Co's room, where Dongail reportedly attacked him. Sebastian sustained multiple stab wounds in his extremities, including one on his right chest.

Alfonso said Sebastian even claimed hearing the Chinese inmates at Building 14 appealing to Doniña to stop stabbing their fellow inmate.

Testimony of Peter Co

Based on Peter Co’s testimony, Alfonso said he received an invitation from Dongail to proceed to Tony Co’s quarters. But Peter Co denied accepting the invitation until he is accompanied by Sy.

Alfonso added Peter Co claimed Dongail and a Filipino inmate he refused to name stabbed him. Peter Co also said Dongail stabbed Sy and Tony Co.

“Ayon kay Peter Co, ang sumaksak sa kanya ay si Clarence Dongail at may kasama pa pong isa na Pilipino inmate na hindi niya pinangalangan. Si Clarence Dongail din ang sinabi ni Peter Co na sumaksak kay Vicente Sy at Tony Co,” Alfonso said.

“Ayon sa kuwento ni Jaybee at Peter Co, ang malinaw ay si Clarence Dongail at Tomas Doniña ang may hawak ng deadly weapon,” Orceo added.

Still verifying testimonies

Orceo said they are investigating the claims of the three high profile inmates and has commissioned the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to gather evidence in the incident.

“We commissioned the CIDG for the investigation so all the evidence na na-gather initially ng ating mga in-house investigator will be turned over to CIDG for them to come up with a final complete version ng stories, kung ano yung totoong nangyari kasi sila rin yung mag-file ng case later on,” Orceo said.

He declined to provide initial conclusion, saying that he would not want to speculate pending the release of the CCTV footage.

Orceo also refused to comment on the possible political angle of the incident.

“At this time puwede naming sabihin na wala yan, kasi as far as the two versions are concerned, hindi ganyan yung lumalabas,” Orceo said.

He mentioned the possibility of a gang war is also being considered since Sebastian, Peter Co, and Sy are all members of Batang City Jail while Dongail and Tony Co are Commando members.

He added the CIDG was looking to finish the investigation in one week.

The DOJ official noted Building 14 remains on full lockdown, while the whole NBP facility is placed on full alert.

Sebastian, an alleged drug lord and gang leader, had been invited to attend the House of Representatives committee hearing set on October 5.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II had said that the DOJ would soon file charges against Sen. Leila de Lima, the former secretary of the Department of Justice, for her alleged involvement in the drug trade at the national penitentiary.

A witness had said during the House hearing that Peter Co gave an alleged De Lima aide P5 million for the release of his niece.

The justice secretary had said that Sebastian would testify in the inquiry.

Asuncion earlier told members of the media that there is a possibility that the attack was related to the House probe. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/ALG, GMA News