Jaybee Sebastian
Jaybee Niño Manicad Sebastian[1] (January 20, 1980 – July 18, 2020)[2][3] was a Filipino high-profile inmate interned at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) who was convicted for kidnap-for-ransom and carnapping in 2009.[4] He was known for running a prison gang and was allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade within the prison.[5][6]
Jaybee Sebastian | |
|---|---|
 Sebastian testifying at the Senate in 2016 | |
| Born | Jaybee Niño Manicad Sebastian January 20, 1980 |
| Died | July 18, 2020 (aged 40) Muntinlupa, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Other names | Palos |
| Criminal status | Deceased |
| Allegiance | Sigue Sigue Commando Presidio |
| Criminal charge | 2 counts of kidnap-for-ransom, one count of carnapping (2009) |
| Penalty | 2 life imprisonment (kidnap-for-ransom) 17 years and four months-20 years imprisonment (carnapping) |
| Imprisoned at | Manila City Jail (until 2009) New Bilibid Prison (from 2009) |
Criminal career
Sebastian was arrested in the early 2000s for kidnapping and carnapping and was detained at the Manila City Jail pending a decision on criminal charges against him. Inside the Manila jail, he became involved with Sigue Sigue Commando and served as an overall advisor to the prison gang. After his conviction in 2009, he was transferred to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa.[7]
At the NBP, Sebastian reportedly led Presidio, one of the two prison gangs involved in illegal drug trade. The other group was Carcel supposedly led by Herbert Colanggo, a convicted kidnapper.[7]
During the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, Sebastian was alleged by Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II of running a three-year funding campaign to support the Senate candidacy of Leila de Lima for the 2016 elections in exchange for de Lima tolerating Sebastian's drug trade involvement inside the NBP. De Lima was then Justice Secretary under Duterte's predecessor, Benigno Aquino III.[7]
On September 28, 2016, Sebastian and two other inmates were injured, while a Chinese drug lord named Tony Co died after being involved in a stabbing incident in NBP Building 14.[8]
Death
Sebastian died of COVID-19 at the New Bilibid Prison Hospital[2] on July 18, 2020, according to Bureau of Corrections officials.[9] His body was immediately cremated in Dasmariñas, Cavite.[10]
References
- "24 Oras: Isa sa 9 na high-profile inmate na namatay sa Bilibid, hindi tinamaan ng COVID-19". GMA News. Retrieved July 23, 2020 – via YouTube. Note: Pause at 3:37 for his birth name.
- "Man named Jaybee Sebastian dies due to COVID-19". GMA News. July 19, 2020. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
- "BuCor slams claims that Jaybee Sebastian escaped, still alive | ANC". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved July 23, 2020. Note: Pause at 1:11 for Sebastian's death certificate. If necessary, set the video for 1080p for clearer version.
- Araneta, Sandy (April 12, 2009). "2 men sentenced to life imprisonment". The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
- Lira Dalangin-Fernandez (October 10, 2016). "Jaybee Sebastian says he gave cash to De Lima for election run". Interaksyon. Archived from the original on March 5, 2017. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
- Dizon, Nikko (September 23, 2016). "Jaybee Sebastian, the feared Bilibid inmate". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
- "In the Know: Jaybee Sebastian". Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 11, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
- "Bilibid riot: Jaybee Sebastian, 2 high-profile inmates hurt; 1 dead". The Philippine Star. September 28, 2016. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
- "Bilibid inmate Jaybee Sebastian, key prison drug trade witness, dies of COVID-19". Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 19, 2020. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
- "High profile inmate sa Bilibid na si Jaybee Sebastian, nasawi dahil sa COVID-19; Labi nito, nai-cremate na". RMN Networks (in Filipino). July 19, 2020. Retrieved July 19, 2020.