Bilibid deaths: PNP seeks copy of complaint vs cops

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police has asked the National Bureau of Investigation for a copy of the NBI’s complaint against 22 PNP personnel implicated in the suspicious deaths of eight high-value inmates of the New Bilibid Prison, an official said yesterday.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management sent a letter to the NBI requesting for a copy of the complaint.

Fajardo said the complaint would serve as their basis in “initiating appropriate actions against the PNP personnel.”

The police officers allegedly belonging to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) were charged with murder for the deaths of eight convicts: Francis Go, Shuli Lim Zhang, Jimmu Ang, Eugene Chua, Benjamin Marcelo, Sherwin Sanchez, Amin Boratong and Willy Yang.

The deaths occurred between May 28, 2020 and June 17, 2020, with the NCRPO officers using COVID-19 as the alleged cause of death of the inmates.

NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Felipe Natividad said they have yet to receive a copy of the complaint.

He vowed to impose sanctions on the police officers if there is concrete evidence against them.

“They will have their day in court to explain their side,” Natividad said.