VACC sues de Lima, 7 others for drugs
MANILA – Anti-corruption group on Tuesday filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) drug trafficking complaints against Senator Leila de Lima and seven other individuals allegedly involved in the proliferation of illegal drugs in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).
But de Lima was quick in shrugging this off saying the suit was not filed in the proper court.
Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) chair Emeritus Dante Jimenez filed complaints against former Justice Secretary de Lima and her supposed cohorts who allegedly conspired with her in the drug trade inside and outside the penitentiary.
Charges for violation of Section 5 (sale) in relation to Section 26 (conspiracy) of Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 were filed against de Lima, DOJ former Undersecretary Fransisco Baraan III, former Bureau of Corrections (Bucor) Director General Jesus Franklin Bacayu, and former Bucor superintendent Col. Wilfredo Ely.
Baraan and Bucayu were accused of receiving monthly payola from drug lords inside the NBP while Ely was alleged to be Bucayu’s bagman.
De Lima’s former driver and bodyguard Ronnie Dayan, her fomer security aides Joenel Sanchez and Adrian Vera who were accused of being her collectors; and top Bilibid inmate Jaybee Sebastian, who was accused of pooling drug money for de Lima’s senatorial bid are also included in the charge sheet.
Vera, said to be de Lima’s nephew, was allegedly instrumental to the release of drug lord Peter Co’s niece and her husband who were supposedly under the custody of police officials. Co allegedly paid Vera a total of P5 million for their release.
The VACC used as basis the testimonies of former Bucor officer-incharge Rafael Ragos and the other inmates led by Herbert Colanggo.
‘De Lima used her power’
In the 148-page complaint-affidavit of the VACC, it has claimed that de Lima utilized her power and authority as then chief of the Justice department “to promote the proliferation of massive drug trade inside the Bilibid.”
VACC also said de Lima was able to put in position her cohorts former Bucayu and Ely to assist her in maneuvering the drug trade.
The VACC pointed out that the eight respondents in the case “clearly acted in conspiracy” as they all came to an agreement concerning the sale and trade of drugs in the penitentiary.
“In this case, respondents clearly acted in conspiracy... Each one of them
had played significant roles in order to ensure the perpetuation of the illegal drug trade inside the Bilibid,” the affidavit reads.
De Lima was accused of forcing gang leaders to contribute monthly quota amounting to millions of pesos for her senatorial bid. SUNNEX