A PAIR for former NBI deputy directors on Thursday filed the second complaint against Senator Leila de Lima for her alleged role in the proliferation of illegal drugs inside the New Bilibid Prison when she was still Justice secretary, calling her the “mother of all drug lords.”
Former National Bureau of Investigation deputy directors Reynaldo Esmeralda and Ruel Lasala filed the complaint against De Lima for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
The complainants also filed charges against NBI deputy director Rafael Ragos, who testified before the House justice committee that he personally delivered millions in drug money to De Lima’s residence in Parañaque City on several occasions in 2012, handing the money to her aide and alleged lover, Ronnie Dayan.
Citing the testimony of Ragos and corroborating statements of NBI agent Jovencio Ablen Jr. and NBP inmate Jojo Baligad, the complainants alleged that respondents “acted in conspiracy” to profit from the sale of illegal drugs.
“Senator De Lima, acting as the mother of all drug lords and through the use of her authority, was able to appoint and designate men inside the Bilibid in order to ensure the perpetuation of illegal drug trade,” the 20-page complaint said.
“Respondents definitely saw how profitable the system established in the Bilibid was at that time. Like hungry wolves, they took advantage of their power, influence and resources,” the complainant added.
The respondents were specifically charged with violation of Section 5 (sale and trading of illegal drugs) of the anti-illegal drug law.
Offenses involve penalties of life imprisonment and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P10 million upon conviction after trial in court.
The complaint also said Ragos was included as respondent in the charge sheet despite being granted immunity by the House justice committee.
“His immunity was with regard only to the statement he gave. But there is corroborating witness, Ablen. That’s why we included him,” the complainants’ lawyer Eduardo Bringas said.
De Lima had dismissed Esmeralda and Lasala from their posts in March 2014 after accusing them of “lingering integrity issues” and links to pork barrel scam queen Janet Lim-Napoles.
The two denied that they filed the complaint to get even with De Lima.
“Definitely no [axe to grind]. There are pieces of evidence we gathered and it’s about time we file the charges also to give her due process,” Esmeralda said, in an interview.
It was the second complaint filed against De Lima in connection to the NBP drug trade. The first one was filed last Tuesday by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption.
The VACC complaint named as respondents De Lima, former DoJ undersecretary Francisco Baraan III, former BuCor chief Franklin Bucayu, De Lima’s former aides Ronnie Dayan, Joenel Sanchez and Jose Adrian Dera, Bucayu’s alleged bagman Wilfredo Ely and high-profile inmate Jaybee Sebastian.
De Lima is also facing graft charges before the Office of the Ombudsman, for allegedly receiving money from the suspected Eastern Visayas drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, the son of Leyte, Albuerra Mayor Rolando Espinosa.
The complainant, Chief Insp. Jove Espenido, filed the charges against De Lima and a councilor of Barangay Benolho councilor anchored on the investigations and interviews with people who directly knew the younger Espinosa and his drug activities.
The probes also unearthed the involvement of people receiving drug pay-offs, including the mayor himself; Marcelo Adorco, Kerwin’s security and driver; Roland Kevin Espinosa, Kerwin’s younger brother, and Vervica Diano, Kerwin’s personal accountant.