Senator Leila De Lima has identified Tony Co, the prisoner who was killed in an alleged riot on Wednesday morning in New Bilibid Prison (NBP), as among those who refused to testify against her in the House investigation on alleged proliferation of illegal drugs in the prison complex.
De Lima made this statement in a press conference on Wednesday morning.
She also said, prisoners Peter Co, Jaybee Sebastian and Vicente Sy who were injured, are also among those who did not want to participate in the House probe.
De Lima suspected, the ‘riot’ in NBP was staged.
During many points of the press conference, De Lima shouted in anger at officials of the Duterte administration, after learning about the incident in NBP.
She said:
“Kinukumbinsi pa rin sila (to testify). Sila kasi yung mga hindi pa nakukumbinsi. Saka yung iba pang gang leaders.”
“They are cowards! They are fools!”
“NBP is the most guarded facility. Nandiyan ang SAF! Tapos gagawa sila ng istorya na kaya nagka-riot…”
“Tama na po yung desperation.”
“Kayo na po ang pinagtatawanan. Hindi po ako.”
“I’m not going to leave this country and escape from anything! I have nothing to escape from!”
“I want to fight here in my country! Hindi po ako duwag!”
De Lima’s press conference continues in the Senate as of this time.