Alvarez on Bilibid riot: Some may not want Jaybee Sebastian to testify

MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Pantaleon "Bebot" Alvarez on Wednesday morning raised suspicion over the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) riot, saying there might be a possibility that some forces do not want inmate Jaybee Sebastian to testify.

“That is sad because apparently there are forces na ayaw na mag-testify iyong si Jaybee Sebastian,” Alvarez said in an ambush interview.

Sebastian is allegedly a favored Bilibid inmate who raised funds for former Justice secretary and now Sen. Leila de Lima's campaign kitty. 

Earlier, Sebastian and two other high-profile inmates Peter Co and Vincent Sy were hurt in a stabbing incident inside the Building 14 at the NBP. Another inmate Tony Co died.

Alvarez said he does not think the stabbing incident is a simple prison riot given the inmates involved as well as the timing of the incident.

“Bakit naman of all those years bakit ngayon lang sila magpapatayan diyan sa ano tapos targeted pa yung intended resource persons na announced nung committee on justice [hearing?],” the solon said.

Alvarez clarified he could not confirm if the supposed riot is a move to derail the House panel hearing into the proliferation of the drug trade inside NBP, but he said he wants to look into the motive of those who want to stop revealing the truth.

Bureau of Corrections officer-in-charge, retired Chief Superintendent Rolando Asuncion, however, said riots are usual occurrence in the penitentiary. 

RELATED: Bilibid riot: Jaybee Sebastian, 2 high-profile inmates hurt; 1 dead