Jose Adrian “Jad” Dera FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Controversial detainee Jose Adrian “Jad” Dera has gone in and out of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) detention center at least six times, even going as far as Batangas and Cavite.
Dera’s getaways even made Senator Francis Tolentino quip that it seems the infamous inmate was embodying the retired tourism slogan of the country – “It’s More Fun in the Philippines.”
But more than this, Dera’s case had also turned the spotlight on the alleged privileges of high-profile NBI detainees.
During the Senate justice and human rights committee’s motu proprio investigation on Dera’s June 20 escape from detention, Justice Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said they have received intelligence reports of NBI detainees supposedly paying to be granted certain benefits.
This, he said, includes the privilege of slipping in and out of the detention facility.
READ: Senate probes Jad Dera’s ‘sneaking out’ of NBI detention
Clavano clarified that these reports are still being verified.
But Dera’s case points to at least one detainee enjoying some privileges, although he has denied paying for them.
Dera’s unauthorized trips
Dera admitted to stepping out of the detention center several times with the help of NBI security officers.
He initially claimed to have sneaked out around four times, but as it turns out, he’s done it at least six times.
- Medical checkup at the Manila Doctors Hospital
- Heart checkup at the Hospital of the Infant Jesus
- Trip to Calatagan in Batangas
- “Joyride” in Tagaytay when another inmate was transferred to a Cavite jail (They also went to a bulalo restaurant)
- Father’s Day celebration at an undisclosed location
- June 20 “date” at a Makati restaurant
READ: Detainee’s joyride: Jad Dera admits leaving NBI ‘only four times’ but true count is six
Dera, however, claimed he did not pay for these trips out of the detention center.
According to NBI Director Medardo de Lemos, inmates are only allowed to leave the detention center on two grounds – if they secure a court order or if they have an emergency medical concern.
De Lemos said NBI officials were not aware of Dera’s history of going in and out of detention.
It was only after Dera’s June 21 arrest that this “came to the attention” of the bureau’s top officials, he added.
Who gave Dera authority to leave?
There were conflicting stories on who exactly gave Dera the permission to leave the detention facility.
Dera said he forwards his request to NBI security advisor Randy Gadoy, one of those who escorted him during his June 20 “date.”
Godoy would then relay it to his superior, NBI Security Management chief Adrian Feudo.
Godoy, however, said not all requests from detainees go through him.
“May instances lang na sasabihin nila sa akin, ifo-forward ko naman. Minsan, sa lawyer na sila nagsasabi ng request, diretso na sa opisina,” he said.
(There are instances where they would tell me about their request, and I would forward it. Sometimes, their lawyers will request straight to the office.)
But Feudo said he could not recall an instance where a detainee’s request was brought straight to him.
Feudo said he would always ask Godoy for the reason for the request, which would often be for medical reasons.
Senator Ronald dela Rosa then asked about what medical emergency Dera could have, even noting the detainee’s “fat” physique.
“Noong una, sir, pinatingnan namin siya sa medical doctor namin. Merong referral iyong doktor namin sa kanya. Iyon ang alam ko,” Feudo answered.
(At first, sir, we had him checked with our medical officer. Our doctor gave the referral for Dera. That’s what I know.)
Feudo said he didn’t really understand the doctor’s referral, but despite this, he still granted Dera permission to temporarily step out of detention.
According to Godoy, he did not receive a request for Dera’s June 20 day out at a Makati restaurant, which was supposedly for a date with his partner.
He claimed Feudo had only called him to escort Dera for a medical checkup.
But Godoy was among the NBI personnel eating with Dera and his partner, as seen in a CCTV footage obtained by Tolentino’s office.
Asked to confirm if he had indeed instructed Godoy to accompany Dera, Feudo only kept mum and sought assistance from a legal counsel of his choice.
“Alam ko na iyong mga sasabihin ko rito, baka later on, magamit sa akin. Gusto ko naman protektahan iyong karapatan ko,” Feudo, who was under oath, said.
(I know that whatever I’ll say here may be used against me later on. I just want to protect my rights.)
Sari-sari store in detention
Dera said he paid for everyone’s dinner. He was even caught with at least a hundred thousand pesos in his pocket.
But where did he get such a huge sum of money?
“Dala ko iyong pinagbentahan ng tindahan sa loob ng kulungan (I brought with me the money we earned from our store inside prison),” Dera said.
He admitted to operating a store inside the detention center because inmates “don’t have rations.”
“Maraming laman [iyong tindahan], sir. May mga soft drinks and ice cream,” he told senators.
(The store sells a lot of things. We have soft drinks and ice cream.)