NCRPO ready to work with NBI on probe into high-profile inmate deaths

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is ready to work closely with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to hold its personnel accountable over the deaths of high-profile inmates in the New Bilibid Prison.

In a “24 Oras” report on Wednesday, the NCRPO said they are waiting for the NBI's final report and will respect the results of the investigation.

If it finds violations committed by NCRPO personnel, the police force added, they would allow the policemen to defend themselves.

Last week, the NBI filed murder complaints against 22 members of the NCRPO in connection with the suspicious deaths of certain inmates.

In the period from May to July 2020, at least eight high-profile inmates died at the New Bilibid Prison, including convicted drug lord Amin Boratong, Jaybee Sebastian, and several Chinese drug lords.

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said the inmates died due to COVID-19.

However, the NBI Death Investigation team discovered that there was a “criminal intent” in the deaths.

PNP Director for Operations Police Major General Val de Leon said that there is a process to be followed, adding that it is necessary to find out if the incident is related to their work to determine if they can be given legal assistance.

“We always presume regularity to performance of duty. Kung sila ay naaakusahan at sila naman ay naka-uniporme probably the leadership will provide legal assistance but when this is proven it is not in line of duty then probably kanilang individual responsibility will come in at hindi rin naman natin totally pabayaan sila,” he said.

(We always presume regularity to performance of duty. If they are accused and they are in uniform, probably the leadership will provide legal assistance. But when it is proven it was not in line of duty then probably their individual responsibility will come in and we will not totally let them down either.) — Mel Matthew Doctor/BM, GMA News