IN THE KNOW: Witnesses against De Lima

Colanggo describes a conversation he had with then Sec. Leila de Lima whom he bowed to in thanks during the congressional probe on the illegal drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison Sept. 20, 2016. L. Rillon/Inquirer

HIGH-PROFILE prisoners and officials of the National Bureau of Investigation testified in the House of Representatives’ probe of the proliferation of drugs inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

Herbert “Ampang” Colanggo, who has been detained at the NBP maximum security compound since 2009, is a convicted robbery gang leader who had worked with other notorious crime syndicates like the Waray-Waray and Ozamiz robbery groups.

Police records showed that Colanggo’s group was behind at least 13 heists since 2000, including the robbery of P46.4 million cash in Banco de Oro branches in Parañaque and Las Piñas cities.

Colanggo was infamous for shooting music videos inside the compound. In December 2014, his cell, equipped with a music studio, was among those raided by a team headed by De Lima for keeping luxurious items.

A police intelligence report also showed that drug kingpin Jaybee Sebastian and Colanggo both controlled drug operations in NBP, with the former heading the Presidio Side and the latter heading the Carcel Side.

Other witnesses were former Philippine National Police Insp. Rodolfo Magleo, who has been detained at the NBP since 2004 for kidnapping. According to his sworn affidavit submitted to the House panel, he is the chair of the Kalasag organization, a group of former PNP officers detained at NBP.

Jovencio Ablen Jr. has worked as an NBI intelligence agent since 1991. In his sworn affidavit, Ablen said he had worked in the criminal investigation division of the NBI main office and was transferred to various regional and district offices.

NBI Deputy Director Rafael Ragos was designated officer in charge of the Bureau of Corrections in Muntinlupa City by De Lima in November 2012, during which he investigated a bomb blast inside the NBP with Ablen. Inquirer Research

Sources: Inquirer Archives, GMA News and  sworn affidavits of Ragos, Magleo and Ablen submitted to the House panel