Jaybee Sebastian denies being a government asset
MANILA, Philippines — Contrary to the previous statement of Sen. Leila De Lima, convicted drug lord Jaybee Sebastian denied that he was a government asset during the resumption of the House inquiry into the Bilibid drug trade.
Sebastian's legal counsel Eduardo Ariba said that the high-profile inmate's testimony is based on his personal knowledge about the proliferation of the illegal drug trade inside and outside the New Bilibid Prison.
The lawyer noted that Sebastian's testimony would be the same as the information that he was supposed to tell President Rodrigo Duterte. Sebastian earlier said that he would only talk to Duterte regarding the Bilibid drug trade but the president refused his request.
"I do not talk to criminals," the president said.
READ: Duterte refuses to meet Jaybee Sebastian
Ariba told the House committee that Sebastian would also testify about the irregularities within the Bureau of Corrections.
"He will also testify that during the time of former Secretary of Justice Leila De Lima, more particularly after the December 16 raid at the maximum security compound, he was required to have the group of [De Lima] raise funds for the election... for the 2016 national and local elections," Ariba said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has issued an immigrant lookout bulletin order against De Lima and five others for their alleged involvement in the Bilibid drug trade.
The lookout departure order requires subjects to ask permit from the DOJ for trips outside the country.
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