Former police officer Engelberto Durano (center). MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB/INQUIRER.net
An inmate at the New Bilibid Prison alleged that slain drug lord Jeffrey Diaz alias “Jaguar” gave P1.5 million drug money to Senator Leila De Lima when she was justice secretary.
During the third day of the House of Representatives justice committee inquiry into the alleged proliferation of drugs at the Bilibid, ex-police officer Engelberto Durano tagged De Lima’s former driver Ronnie Dayan as offering protection to the drug business of Diaz inside the Bilibid.
Diaz, regarded as the No. 1 drug lord of Central Visayas, was killed by policemen in a shootout in Las Piñas City last June 17.
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Durano said Diaz was first interested about giving protection money to Dayan in January 2014.
In February 2014, Diaz called him up and ordered him to coordinate with Dayan’s business associate Joenel Pederio, who allegedly owned a shabu market in Zamboanga Del Norte.
Dayan later called up Durano and asked him coordinate with Diaz to supply Pederios’ drug business in Zamboanga Del Norte, Durano said.
Durano alleged that Dayan received kickbacks from Diaz. He said starting Feb. 2014, Dayan received P27.3 million from Jaguar through three Banco De Oro bank accounts.
Sometime in November and December 2014, Durano said Diaz again called him up and asked him to prepare P1.5 million.
Diaz told Durano to secure the money inside shoe boxes and wrap it in gift wrapper, and then have these delivered to then Secretary De Lima.
Durano said he proceeded to the Bilibid TV Channeln 3 (BTV-3) office that served as the office of Jaybee Sebastian, the alleged drug trader of De Lima to raise campaign funds from inside the Bilibid.
Durano said he was escorted inside the BTV-3 room where he saw De Lima and Sebastian waiting for him.
Durano said he handed over the boxes of money to De Lima.
“Nang papalapit pa lang kami kay secretary ay napansin ko na na nakatingin sa amin si Secretary De Lima. Pagpasok ko sa opisina ng BTV-3 ay nakita ko na naroon din si Jaybee Sebastian at Hans Tan,” Durano said.
(When we were approaching the secretary, I noticed that De Lima was looking at us. When I entered the BTV-3 office, I saw Jaybee Sebastian and Hans Tan.)
“Inabot ko na kay Secretary De Lima ang kahon na may lamang P1.5 million at sinabi, ‘Ma’am ito na po.’ Kinuha ito ni Secretary at inabot sa lalakeng sumalubong sa akin,” Durano added.
(I gave De Lima the box containing P1.5 million and said, “Ma’am, this is it.” Secretary De Lima took it and gave it to the man who met with me.)
Durano said after leaving, he looked back and saw De Lima posing nearby a pole and posing seductively to Sebastian.
“Habang papalayo ako at nakalingon ako sa kaniya (Sec. De Lima) at nakita ko na lumalakad siya na parang model papunta sa gitna ng poste na bakal sa BTV3, sabay hawak sa poste at sa kaniyang scarf at nagsalita na ‘Ok ba Jaybee’ na ang isang kamay ay nakataas at ang isa ay nasa baba,” Durano said.
(As I was walking away, I looked back at Secretary De Lima and saw that she was walking like a model towards the metal pole in the middle of the BTV-3, then she held the pole and her scarf and said, “Is this okay, Jaybee?” as one hand was raised and the other was lowered.)
Durano quipped that he was not pleased with what he saw, describing De Lima as looking more like a dance instructor seducing Sebastian.
“Ang nasa isip ko ay parang D.I. o dance instructor si Secretary. Kaya lang may edad na siya kaya T.I. na lang (I thought that she was like a dance instructor. Although she’s already old),” Durano said.
Durano apparently was referring to a derogatory term “tiguwang igat,” which is Bisaya for “malanding matanda (flirtatious old person).”
Durano said after handing the money to De Lima, he texted Diaz the message: “Dong, OK na.”
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Durano also alleged that Diaz has a business relationship with another drug lord Peter Co who traded cheaper shabu to Jaguar. Peter Co was hurt in a deadly Bilibid riot last Sept. 28 that also almost killed Sebastian.
He also alleged Kerwin Espinosa, the son of Albuera mayor Rolando Espinosa who was recently arrested on drug charges, transacted with Diaz who traded as much as 50 kilos shabu per month to Kerwin from inside the Bilibid.
Kerwin is said to be the top drug lord in Eastern Visayas. He is at large. JE/rga
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