Did a detainee sneak out of NBI jail? DOJ, lawyer give conflicting versions

DOJ Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano confirms detainee Jad Dera and six NBI security personnel were arrested Tuesday evening for sneaking out of detention. Photo by Tetch Torres-Tupas/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–-The Department of Justice (DOJ) has confirmed a detainee of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was able to sneak out on Tuesday evening.

He left the detention center with six NBI security personnel.

This is according to DOJ sssistant secretary and spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano.

The detainee was identified as John Adrian ‘Jad’ Dera.

He is among the co-accused in the case of illegal drug trade that former senator Leila de Lima is facing at Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court.

Clavano said Dera also has other pending charges.

“I can confirm the statement only as to the part na si Jad Dera ay lumabas sa detention center kasama ang NBI security officers – one plantilla and five job orders,” Clavano told reporters.

(I can confirm the statement only as to the part that Jad Dera went out of the detention center with NBI security officers – one plantilla and five job orders.)

“Totoo po na nahuli si Jad Dera noong pumasok sya ng mga 12 midnight last night. Andun na po yung ibang NBI agents natin,” he added.

(It is true that Jad Dera was arrested when he entered around 12 midnight last night. Our other NBI agents are already there.)

When Dera was recovered at midnight, he was reportedly carrying P25-million cash.

Aside from being linked to illegal drugs, Dera is also allegedly acting as a bagman of Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr.

Teves was named mastermind in the killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo.

On the link of Dera to the suspended lawmaker, Clavano said he has no information on this.

“Nothing is established yet. Ang alarming sa amin ngayon ay nakalabas si Jad Dera sa kanyang detention center,” he said.

(What is alarming to us right now is that Jad Dera was able to go out from his detention center.]

Clavano also did not confirm whether or not Dera had huge amount of money.

He just said the detainee had a black sling bag.

Meanwhile, Dera’s lawyer Raymond Palad refuted the story that his client left the NBI jail.

He clarified Dera, indeed, left the facility, accompanied NBI security personnel, for a different reason – he needed to go through an urgent medical check-up.

Palad also dismissed allegations that Dera had links with Teves.

The counsel recalled at the time Dera was supposedly recovered at around midnight, the detainee was actually already back at the NBI.

APL