Sebastian: Riot might have been attempt to stop testimony

MANILA, Philippines - Convicted drug lord Jaybee Sebastian said Monday that the recent riot at the New Bilibid Prison might have been caused to prevent him from testifying before the House Committee on Justice, which is investigating the drug trade at the penitentiary.

Sebastian, testifying before the panel Monday, said that retired Chief Inspector Clarence Dongail, an inmate, started the riot where he was stabbed and another inmate was killed.

He said Dongail might have taken an interest in him due to his knowledge of the former police officer's involvement with the "ninja cops" -- police officers who supposedly protect drug syndicates in and out of the NBP.

"Kilala po ako nila personal na kapag dinala ako sa ganitong forum or pagpupulong, hindi ako mangingimi na magsalita ng lahat ng aking nalalaman," Sebastian said.

On Sept. 28, a riot occurred inside the NBP which killed one and injured three high-profile inmates, including Sebastian.

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

Initial reports from Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said that the riot started when Peter Co, Tony Co, and Vicente Sy were caught using shabu in prison and were reprimanded by Dungail.

“Sinaway ni Major Dungail at sinabing ‘wag nyo gawin yan lahat tayo mapapasama,” Aguirre said in a televised interview. Although the Philippine National Police is civilian in nature, the unofficial use of military ranks is common practice.

Last October 5, Eduardo Arriba Jr., Sebastian's lawyer, tried to file a case against Sen. Leila de Lima over undue threats or injury allegedly inflicted on Sebastian after she claimed that the high-profile inmate is a government asset. He said this may have sparked the riot and the attempt on Sebastian's life.

Sebastian said that he is not a government asset. 

READ: Jaybee Sebastian's camp fails to file raps vs De Lima

He also said that even before the investigation of the Department of Justice started, family members had already reached out to him, requesting him to help the administration by telling the government what he knows.

"Hindi lang po matuloy-tuloy dahil nabanggit ko rin dito, humihiling po ako ng relocation sa maximum security compound kasi nangangamba po ako na kapag ako'y nag salita ay mapahamak ako doon sa Building 14," Sebastian said.

"Yung pagkakasaksak ko po, sa tingin ko ang dahilan ay para hindi ako makapunta rito," Sebastian added.

He also revealed that three days to one week after Philippine National Police Special Action Force personnel arrived to take over securing the prison, he was already approached by Solicitor General Jose Calida.