The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Wednesday said only 260 out of the 29,000 inmates nationwide have tested positive for the virus.
BuCor spokesman Gabriel Chaclag, however, said there were also 90 infected BuCor personnel.
“So you see, only a small portion of the general population have tested positive,” Chaclag said during an online interview in PTV 4.
Chaclag issued the statement amid growing concerns over the safety of persons deprived of liberty (PDL) in prison facilities following the death of 21 inmates. Of these fatalities, nine high-profile prisoners, including Jaybee Sebastian.
Sebastian was supposed to testify in the drug case against Sen. Leila M. de Lima.
Some lawmakers suggested the deaths of Sebastian and the other high-profile prisoners may be a “body-switching” ploy, an allegation belied by Chaclag by stating they have the necessary documentation to prove the death of the nine high-profile inmates.
“We are ready to explain and present the evidence and documents proving that all of the procedures, which should have been done for the nine high-profile inmates,” Chaclag said.
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