Dayan kin gets P1-M reward
A relative of Ronnie Dayan received last night the P1- million reward for the capture of the former driver and lover of Sen. Leila de Lima after more than two months in hiding in San Juan, La Union.
The identity of the informant was kept confidential.
The turnover took place at the House of Representatives where the justice committee reopened its hearing on the alleged proliferation of drugs
in the national penitentiary.
The turnover was witnessed by Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronaldo dela Rosa, who was also present at the hearing of the committee chaired by Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali.
Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez had issued an arrest warrant against Dayan for his refusal to attend the House probe.
At the House justice committee hearing yesterday, Dayan said he decided to go into hiding on the advice of De Lima.
The pro-Duterte anti-crime watchdog group Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption had offered a P1-million reward for the arrest of Dayan.
Last October, the Umali committee cited in contempt anew Dayan and ordered his arrest for purposes of compelling him to attend the probe on illegal drugs in the national penitentiary.
The contempt and arrest order was issued upon the instance of House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas, where the House justice committee carried the motion-request.
Dayan’s nephew
A nephew of Dayan was instrumental in helping the fugitive hide in San Juan, La Union for at least two months before his arrest last Monday.
San Juan police chief Senior Insp. Juanito Buaron said Jumar Dayan, who got married in San Felipe several years ago, also served as courier providing the needs of his uncle.
Buaron said Jumar helped his uncle find a hiding place and they built a hut in Sitio Bato, Barangay Lacung, San Gabriel, La Union.
“They built the hut where they can see those incoming individuals. That’s why he immediately escaped down to the river in San Felipe when he saw our troops arrive in the area,” Buaron said.
He said while staying in Barangay Lacung, the elder Dayan used the alias Dodong.
“From his name and looks, he is totally different from the time he was pictured with then secretary Leila de Lima. He looks older, darker and thinner during his arrest,” he said.
Inside the hut is a small tank of cooking gas, foam mattress, some kitchen utensils, feeds for fighting cocks and native chicken, among other household materials.
After his arrest, Dayan complained of suffering from arthritis due to a diet of mostly string beans while in hiding.
He grew vegetables and bred fighting cocks.
Buaron said the police did not find illegal drugs, guns or anything illegal in Dayan’s hut.
Police operatives arrested Dayan at around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Sitio Turod at the boundary of barangays San Felipe and Guinguinabang.