Espinosa, Dayan meet De Lima at Senate hearing

Ronnie Dayan. (PNA photo)

MANILA, Philippines—Self-confessed bagman Ronnie Dayan and suspected Visayan drug lord Kerwin Espinosa met on December 5, Monday, at a Senate probe on the death of Kerwin’s father, Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. where Sen. Leila De Lima was also present.

The Senator arrived at the Session Hall after Dayan claimed that he received drug money from Espinosa.

De Lima said during an interview last Thursday that she will not listen to Dayan’s testimonies and she will not show up when Dayan was finished in giving his statement.

“Hindi ako dadating du’n sa punto na mag-tetestify sila, especially si Ronnie Dayan. Pero mag-aattend ako ‘pag iba na, tapos na ‘yung testimony ni Dayan (I won’t come while they are testifying, especially Ronnie Dayan. But I will attend if it’s others’ turn, when Dayan’s testimony is finished),” De Lima was quoted as saying in an Inquirer.net report.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, chair of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, said in a radio interview that the drug payoffs testimonies could connect the “loose ends” in Espinosa and Dayan’s statement.

Espinosa confessed that he met Dayan, De Lima’s former driver, through Albuera police director Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido. He added that the chief Inspector called him in August 2015 telling that Dayan wanted to talk to him.

Dayan denied knowing Espinido and insisted that he only met him through De Lima’s instructions.

Espinosa also claimed that earlier in 2015, he gave P8 million to De Lima through Dayan. According to Dayan, this money was used to fund De Lima’s senatorial campaign.

The Senate inquiry was attended by Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, PNP chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Daanbantayan Mayor Vicente Loot and other cops accused of receiving protection money from Espinosa.

De Lima denied any involvement in the drug payoffs.