BuCor Denies Report Saying Dominguez Died Of COVID-19, Labels It “Fake News”
BUCOR DOMINGUEZ DEATH – The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) denies news that high-profile inmate Raymond Dominguez died from COVID-19.
Upon hearing the news, BuCor spokesperson Gabriel Chaclag said he was saddened to hear the fake news regarding the reports. According to an interview with DZMM Teleradyo, he said:
Nakakalungkot nga po dahil may lumabas na balitang ganoon at naghihintay po tayo ng paliwanag at pasensya sana pero hayaan mo na dahil nung lumabas ang balita ngayon sa isang malaking pahayagan pati maliliit na operations natin ay naabala
Moreover, he emphasized that several processes have been affected because of the “fake news” that circulated among the media. However, he noted that there were no persons deprived of liberty (PDL) from BuCor that died.
Recently, a Manila Times article quoted Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption president Arsenio “Boy” Evangelista stating that Dominguez died from the coronavirus. He added that the information came from a former DOJ secretary whose name he did not disclose.
Previously, BuCor also announced the death of another high-profile inmate, the drug lord Jaybee Sebastian. According to the Bureau, his death was caused by COVID-19, as such, his body had to quickly be cremated.
However, there were reports that the drug lord had escaped from the Bilibid and was still alive. But, BuCor reiterated that the claims of Sebastian escaping were near impossible. Meanwhile, DOJ spokesperson Markk Perete stated that BuCor gave their department assurance of full cooperation during investigations on Sebastian’s death.
BuCor gave us assurances na meron silang complete record, meron silang fingerprint record, even photos of the high-profile inmates. Ito yung hinihingi ng DOJ to be turned over to the NBI na siya namang nagkoconduct ng impartial and 3rd party investigation in this matter
READ ALSO: Jaybee Sebastian: New Bilibid Prison Inmate Dies Of COVID-19
