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) |
Jaybee Sebastian (1980–2020) was a feared and powerful figure in the Philippine criminal underworld, whose notoriety grew behind bars at New Bilibid Prison. Far from being just another inmate, Sebastian rose to the top of the prison hierarchy, turning incarceration into a reign of influence and terror. Known as one of the most influential prisoners in Bilibid, he operated as a kingpin, orchestrating the drug trade that flowed in and out of the prison’s walls, generating millions of pesos. His criminal network was vast, spreading both within the prison and to the streets outside, where he was said to control street gangs and drug syndicates. Born in the slums of Tondo, Jaybee Sebastian found himself exposed in crime. At the age of 7, he became witness to a murder committed father, who was a high-ranking member of the Sigue-Sigue Commando. His father held a notorious reputation to the local police and was once confined on 2 counts of murder for one week until he allegedly paid off the victims' family for only 6,000 pesos. In early 2000s, Sebastian was detained at the Manila City Jail for charges of kidnapping and carnapping. Inside the jail, he became involved with his father's bodyguards, who guided him in navigating the system. Upon transfer, Sebastian's influence had a significant turn when he became the leader of Commando gang at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) following his 2009 conviction. Under his belt, the gang allegedly became notorious as a chosen "tirador" or muscle for drug lords to eliminate distributors who failed to remit sales proceeds within and outside the prison. His ascent in power continued, and he eventually became the head of the Presidio Side, one of the two major drug operations controlling half of the 300-hectare prison. His rule extended to various Tagalog-speaking prison gangs, including Commando, Sputnik, HGLG, and Bahala Na Gang, with an estimated 5400+ members during his time. Among Sebastian's associates was Wu Tuan Yuan, known by "Peter Co," a member of the Sun Yee On Triad and a top figure in the drug trade within the NBP. In contrast, Sebastian's rival, Colanggo, led the faction known as Carcel. Sources suggest that they were once friends, but their relationship soured when Sebastian outwitted Colanggo, taking control of the NBP. According to the Genuine llocano Gang Leader, Martinez, Sebastian earned a reputation for his violence. Martinez claimed that Sebastian brutally hammered someone. Within the NBP, Sebastian operated a news channel and boasted an air-conditioned office in the In fact, it was cleaner and roomier than the prison warden's office. Sebastian's "kubol" allegedly featured a Jacuzzi. He also had 8 eagles as a pet. Despite his notoriety, he was also known for charity. He took the lead in initiatives such as the Munti Paraiso Foundation and spearheaded various community projects, aimed at supporting poor inmates. In turn of events in December 2014, a surprise raid led by Justice Secretary De Lima exposed a network of "VIP treatment" for high-profile inmates and drug lords within the NBP. Sebastian's alleged role as a government "asset" on drug syndicates in NBP was believed to have instigated the raid, resulting in the transfer of his rivals to another prison facility. House Rep. Alejano reasoned out that Sebastian was chosen due to his "intelligence, diplomacy, and leadership qualities". The former BuCor Director Bucayu revealed Sebastian was excluded as it may cause riots. An NBI report disclosed the discovery of several high-powered guns, including a foldable sub-machine gun valued between ₽250,000 and ₽400,000. However, Sebastian's associate, Peter Co, was transferred during the raid. Co was found wearing a diamond-studded Rolex watch, taken from his quarters in the Commando Gang building protected by Sebastian. Co's quarters featured amenities like a digital lock, CCTV cameras, a sauna, a Jacuzzi, loaded magazines, a macbook, five cell phones, a bar, two bedrooms (one with disco lights), a vault with $1.4 million in cash, expensive liquors. On January 8, 2015 Sebastian was schedule to meet De Lima. On that very day, an attempt on his life unfolded when a grenade was thrown into his "kubol" (prison apartment). Sebastian was able to survive the incident. Later on, BuCor Director Rainier Cruz took a decisive step by issuing an order for Sebastian's transfer in an attempt to take Sebastian out of his luxury. In response, Sebastian mobilized his men with firearms to resist the BuCor. The BuCor had to call reinforcements from the SWAT. To this day, Jaybee Sebastian’s name remains synonymous with the unchecked brutality, corruption, and fear that ruled the Philippine system during his time.
Criminal career
editSebastian 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
editSebastian 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
edit- ^ "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.
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ a b c "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.