Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he is planning to file a resolution to look into the suspicious deaths of several convicted drug lords in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reports of several high-profile inmates deaths due to COVID-19 last month surfaced, but Sotto questioned why authorities did not immediately divulge the report.
“I’m filing a reso looking into the matter. There are too many unanswered questions,” Sotto told reporters in a text message.
Senate Committee on Health chair Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go supported the senate president’s proposal, saying the government is also responsible for the health and welfare of persons deprived of liberty.
“Kailangang mabigyang linaw kung ano ang naging sanhi ng pagkamatay at kung may pagkukulang ba ang mga otoridad sa pangyayaring ito,” Go said in a statement.
[We have to clarify what was the cause of their death and if authorities were negligent.]
Sen. Panfilo Lacson, the former police chief-turned-lawmaker, said he would “rather focus on more pressing matters than be distracted by the deaths of drug convicts.”
“Unless there is very compelling reason to suspect any foul play – and as of now, there is none – personally, I’d rather focus on more pressing matters,” he said.
Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa, who served as Bureau of Corrections chief before winning a seat in in the upper chamber, said there is no basis for the investigation.
“Wala namang sinasanto ang COVID kahit na yung British Prime Minister tinamaan din,” he said, referring to United Kingdom leader Boris Johnson.
[COVID does not spare anyone. Even the British Prime Minister was infected.]
