Silenced?

Twenty-two members of the National Capital Regional Police Office were allegedly involved in the killing of eight high-profile Bilibid inmates including well-known drug lords Jaybee Sebastian, Amin Boratong, and several Chinese drug lords during the pandemic. According to Philippine National Police spokeswoman Police Colonel Jean Fajardo, "We will make sure that all those named in the complaint will be accounted for, we will find out where they are assigned now and we will initiate appropriate administrative proceedings if evidence warrants." This will supposedly be done when they receive the official copy of the complaint filed by the National Bureau of Investigation with the Department of Justice.

From what I see, those 22 policemen have been made aware of what is coming for them. Finding out where they are assigned only when they receive the official copy of the complaint seems to be giving them ample time to hide or flee. I understand the due process but if they have been forewarned, how sure is the PNP that they will face the charges? Shouldn't the PNP know where they are even before the media reports the story? What if they have left the country in the absence of any hold departure order or lookout bulletin?

Another question is whether those drug lords have anything to do with the case of former senator Leila de Lima. What is the reason why they seem to have been "liquidated”? The pandemic seems to have given the perpetrators a good reason for their cause of death. But the NBI Death Investigation Division discovered criminal intent because of the inconsistent statements of the policemen in question. Further investigation may reveal more accomplices in the murder of the eight inmates.

There was a reason why they were killed. Were they silenced? Were they involved in criminal activities inside Bilibid where police were also in on it, making the inmates a liability for them? Or is this crime related to De Lima's case where some witnesses have already withdrawn their statements against the former senator? Jaybee Sebastian was one of those who testified against De Lima. Perhaps what was promised to him was not delivered?

The New Bilibid Prison has never been thought to be corruption-free. From VIP treatment of certain inmates to drug lords still able to conduct their businesses while incarcerated. Let’s not forget the Good Conduct Time Allowance controversy that involved the late former mayor Antonio Sanchez. The deaths of the eight high-profile inmates are suspect, to say the least. The DOJ must find out why. Let’s see if the DOJ secretary under the new administration can find out.