OSG to probe photo showing De Lima, high-profile NBP inmate

PNA photo

MANILA—Solicitor–General Jose Calida on Thursday issued a stern warning against government officials coddling drug lords and criminals as he vowed to probe the matter behind the photo of former Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary and now elected Senator Leila De Lima seated with Jaybee Sebastian at the maximum security compound of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

Sebastian, a convicted kidnapper and leader of the Commando Gang, is one of the most influential drug lords in the NBP.

”Now what is a Justice Secretary doing in the kubol of this prison mayor? Could you give me an answer to that? You media people are very intelligent. Please help us because we will investigate the persons here (photo) if you can identify them. Is this appropriate for a Justice Secretary? To be rubbing elbows with a convicted felon? Tama ba ito? Of course not,” Calida said after the MOA signing with Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) held at Solicitor General’s Office in Makati City.

Calida said that they will utilize social media for the investigation through putting up a Facebook, Viber, where anyone can send information regarding ties between criminals and government officials.

”So this is our message. Public officials who are coddling drug lords and criminals, will be investigated by us. This is part of our social justice advocacy. Our advocacy is to put these politicians and government officials who are coddling the drug lords and traffickers to jail,” he explained.

”Para ba equal, democracy di ba? So this serves as a warning to these government officials that they cannot mess with the OSG, they cannot mess with the PNP and they cannot mess with me,” he added.

Earlier, De Lima, a former Justice secretary and Commission on Human Rights chief, is pushing for a Senate inquiry into the spate of drug-related extrajudicial killings.

De Lima wants to invite police officials for a Senate investigation.

But, Calida said that there is no need for investigation in aid of legislation.

Calida encouraged the police force not to be scared of any probe, noting that his office is ready to defend the PNP pursuant to the existing laws of the land.

”I am here to encourage the PNP not to be afraid of any congressional or senate investigations. We will defend them if there is a fiscalizer I am the neutralizer and the defender of the PNP so huwag kayo matakot mga pulis and other operatives,” he explained.