P300M seized at 2014 Bilibid raid missing – Aguirre

MANILA, Philippines – Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II claimed on Tuesday, September 27, that some P300 million in cash seized in the first anti-illegal drug raid at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) back in 2014 is missing.

Aguirre said in a press briefing that it was his predecessor, then Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who led the first raid on December 15, 2014.

He also said two witnesses – an inmate and a government agent – would testify on the missing money at the resumption of the House inquiry into drug operations in the NBP in the previous administration on October 5.

“Ostensibly on paper, they said they only confiscated firearms and other contraband items and P1.6 million pero in reality sabi ng witness (but in reality the witness said), they were able to get more than P300 million in cash from that particular raid,” Aguirre added.

Aguirre earlier said proceeds from the illegal drug transactions in the NBP ran into the hundreds of millions, possibly even billions. He suggested 75% of the country’s drug transactions came from the NBP.

The first Bilibid raid led to the temporary transfer of 19 high-profile inmates to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) till renovations to Building 14 – where they were eventually detained – were completed.

Building 14 currently holds 53 high-profile inmates, mostly drug lords, including the 19 inmates transferred to the NBI. The raid also exposed the luxurious lifestyles of some inmates, who were able to enjoy amenities like appliances and gadgets. Some firearms and ammunition were also recovered during the raid.

Aguirre also pointed to the possibility of giving Ronnie Dayan, Leila de Lima’s former driver and alleged lover, immunity from prosecution should he choose to testify on the alleged links between De Lima and the proliferation of drugs within the NBP.

Aguirre previously said Dayan collected campaign money for De Lima from high-profle inmates at the NBP.

He also said Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez could give Dayan the same immunity he granted to witnesses who testified in the House inquiry. This is immunity from suit for any testimonies at the hearing.

“The Speaker could offer you immunity like other witnesses. As long as [he complies with] the condition that he would tell only nothing but the truth,” Aguirre added.

The DOJ chief remained confident that there is enough evidence to pin De Lima, citing the testimonies of the witnesses in the House inquiry as well as documentary evidences like bank records.

Meanwhile, Aguirre challenged De Lima to answer the accusations against her, tasking her with presenting evidence to defend herself to clear her name

Aguirre made the statement in response to De Lima’s claim that the evidence against her was fake and manufactured just like the justice secretary’s wig.

“Secretary Aguirre’s alleged evidence against me is like his toupee, his wig – fake and cosmetics only. There is nothing into it other than that. Nothing’s authentic,” De Lima had said.

Meanwhile, the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) has asked Aguirre to invite former president Benigno Aquino III to help authorities shed light on the proliferation of illegal drugs in the country during his term.

In a one-page letter dated September 26, the VACC said Aquino can help in the ongoing justice department investigation into the illegal drugs trade.

The VACC also said Aquino should be asked about his failure to discuss the gravity of the Philippines’ illegal drug problem during his 6 years in office. – Rappler.com