An anti-crime watchdog yesterday filed a complaint against Senator Leila de Lima and six others before the Department of Justice (DoJ) in connection with the proliferation of narcotics inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).
The Victims Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), led by Dante Jimenez, filed a case against De Lima for violation of Section 5 (sale) in relation to Section 26(b) (conspiracy to sell) of Republic Act 9165, the Dangerous Drug Act of 2002.
Also included in the complaint are Bilibid inmate Jaybee Sebastian, former Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III, former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director Franklin Jesus Bucayu, De Lima’s former aide Joenel Sanchez and driver Ronnie Dayan, her nephew Jose Adrian Dera, and Bucayu’s alleged bagman Wilfredo Ely.
Jimenez said there is enough proof to file the complaint based on the testimonies made during the hearings at the House of Representatives regarding the proliferation of drug activities at the Bilibid.
Though the DoJ has yet to finish its investigation on the matter, Jimenez said that they will not wait for it to wrap up its probe.
“Let the DoJ complete this investigation because kami in VACC will not wait,” he said.
“Pero kumpyansa po kami na makukumpleto po nila ito,” he added.
Though Sebastian is the only Bilibid inmate named in the complaint, Jimenez assured that a supplemental complaint will follow and would most likely include other names including other inmates of the national penitentiary.
(JEFFREY DAMICOG)