Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Reynaldo Esmeralda, former NBI deputy director for Intelligence Service. FILE PHOTOS
MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said Thursday she regretted not dismissing former National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Deputy Directors Reynaldo Esmeralda and Ruel Lasala even before the Janet Lim-Napoles and the pork barrel controversies came out.
The two were removed from their post as part of the NBI’s reorganization and efforts at improving the Bureau, De Lima had said earlier but refused to give specifics.
The two had denied any links to Napoles.
Instead, Esmeralda revealed on Wednesday that Atty. Plaridel Bohol, De Lima’s ex-husband, former NBI Director Nonnatus Rojas, and Deputy Director Rafael Ragos met with Napoles last month.
Rojas resigned from his post September last year after President Benigno Aquino insinuated that there was a mole inside the NBI who tipped off Napoles about the arrest warrant.
“I feel so bad about what those two are doing. I am trying to control my emotions,” De Lima said.
“What do they want? If they think removing them from office is wrong, why not resort to legal arguments. They have all the right to avail of appropriate remedy,” De Lima said.
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