MANILA, Philippines – The two most vocal critics of President Rodrigo Duterte in the Senate have teamed up in seeking an inquiry into the “riot” at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) which killed one inmate and injured 4 others.

Senators Leila de Lima and Antonio Trillanes IV filed Senate Resolution Number 174 on Wednesday, September 28, seeking a congressional probe into the “apparent mismanagement and incompetence” of the NBP, Bureau of Corrections, and the Philippine National Police in relation to the supposed brawl.

In an interview with reporters, Trillanes said they want an investigation to finally know the truth behind the supposed violence inside the prison.

“Precisely to call for an investigation para malaman natin talaga ano ba nasa likod niyan at kasi maraming speculations, ano (to know what is really behind it because there are many speculations). Let’s get it directly from these people para magkaalaman na (so that we’ll know what happened). Both sides are claiming different things,” Trillanes said.

More specifically, the senators said they want an inquiry into the “isolation, intimidation, maltreatment, torture, and other alleged human rights violations” allegedly perpetrated by the PNP Special Action Force (SAF) inside Bilibid.

The SAF was tapped to secure the national penitentiary under the Duterte administration.

De Lima earlier said she received reports that inmates and gang members are being tortured or taken by SAF members for “overnight interrogation” where, she alleged, the intimidation and fabrication of evidence against her take place.

In a press conference on Wednesday, De Lima said that the “riot” may just be Malacañang’s way of threatening inmates who have refused to testify against her in the House probe into the proliferation of illegal drugs in NBP when she was justice secretary. (READ: De Lima: What Bilibid riot? Gov’t wants to threaten inmates)

“The alleged maltreatment of NBP inmates constitutes breaches of human rights of prisoners under our domestic laws as well as under the Philippines’ legally-binding obligations in international treaties, for which the BuCor and PNP can be held accountable as state actors,” the resolution said.

De Lima and Trillanes said the brawl, which injured inmate Jaybee Sebastian, among others, happened only days after he refused to testify against De Lima.

De Lima is accused of favoring Sebastian, who was tagged by witnesses at the House inquiry – mostly convicts – of allegedly collecting money inside prison for her senatorial campaign kitty. De Lima, who categorically denied the allegation, had said that Sebastian was a government asset.

“The same alleged riot that caused the death of a high-profile prison inmate and serious physical injuries to others can only be the result of serious, if not criminal, negligence on the part of the BuCor and PNP,” the resolution read.

Tony Co, a high-profile inmate linked to the drug trade, was killed during the riot he supposedly instigated when he allegedly picked a fight with another inmate, retired police Chief Inspector Clarence Dongail. Dongail reportedly called out Co’s group – which did not include Sebastian – for taking shabu (methampetamine) inside a cell in Building 14 of the NBP.

Aside from Sebastian, the others hurt were inmates Peter Co, who is said to be in critical condition, Vicente Sy, and Dongail. Sebastian, Co, and Sy were brought to a Muntinlupa hospital while Dongail asked to be treated at Bilibid. – Rappler.com