The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has assigned a group to probe the Jan. 2 riot at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP in Muntinlupa City and the Jan. 17 escape of prisoners from the facility’s maximum-security compound.
NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand M. Lavin on Monday, Jan. 24, said the investigation has been assigned to the NBI’s Special Action Unit (NBI-SAU).
“We are awaiting the submission of CCTV (closed circuit television camera) footage and the statement taking of the guards on and off duty,” Lanvin said.
But he said “no schedule yet on statement taking as we await as well the list of guards to be issued subpoenas.”
Last Jan. 17 immediately after the escape of the four prisoners from the maximum-security compound of the NBP, Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra ordered the NBI to probe, not only the escape, but also the riot where three prisoners died and 14 others injured.
“I will also recommend to the Office of the President that disciplinary action be taken against BuCor (Bureau of Correction) officials who may be found guilty of gross neglect of duty,” Guevarra said.
Of the four NBI escapees, still at large are Drakilou Y. Falcon and Chris Candas Ablas both of whom have been serving jail terms for robbery with homicide
BuCor has offered a P100,000 reward each for information that would lead to the arrests of Falcon and Ablas.
Two other escapees – Arwin V. Bio and Pacifico V. Adlawan – were killed during encounters with operatives of the BuCor and the Philippine National Police.