Ragos now in NBI custody

MANILA –Former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) before noon on Sunday, a Department of Justice (DOJ) official confirmed.

”Confirmed (former) NBI Deputy Director Ragos with NBI as per NBI Director Dante Gierran in a phone call,” Usec Erickson Balmes said in a message sent to the reporters covering the DOJ.

Aside from Sen. Leila de Lima and her former driver and boyfriend Ronnie Dayan, Ragos is included in the arrest warrant issued by Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 204 Executive Judge Juanita Guerrero.

Muntinlupa RTC Branch 204 is handling Criminal Case No. 17-165 which specifically charged De Lima,Dayan and Ragos for violation of Section 5 (sale) in relation to Section 3 (jj trading), Section 26 (b) and Section 28 or the criminal liability of government officials and employees under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

De Lima was detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

The lady senator on Friday appeared before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 204 for the return of the arrest warrant.

“The Court finds sufficient probable cause for Violation of Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002, Sec. 5 in rel. to Sec. 3, Sec.26 & Sec. 28 of R.A. No. 9165 (Illegal Drug Trading). Wherefore, accused Leila M. De Lima is ordered committed to the Custodial Service Unit in Camp Crame, Quezon City,” the order read.

Dayan was placed in the custody of the Muntinlupa City Jail.

Dayan will be alone in his detention cell, as he is a high profile detainee. He will also have to provide his own bed, police said.

Separate cases for three counts of drug trafficking against were filed against De Lima before the Muntinlupa RTC which were assigned to three different courts.

The cases for sale and trading of illegal drugs and liability of government officials under Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act) were assigned to RTC Branch 204 Judge Juanita Guerrero, Branch 205 Judge Amelia Fabros-Corpuz and Branch 206 Judge Patria Manalastas-De Leon.

The first case in Branch 204 include De Lima, Dayan and Ragos.

De Lima is joined by her nephew Jose Adrian Dera in the second case in Branch 205.

Lastly, the third case in Branch 206 is against De Lima, Dera, Dayan, former BuCor chief Franklin Bucayu, his alleged bagman Wilfredo Elli, high-profile inmate Jaybee Sebastian and De Lima’s former bodyguard Jonel Sanchez,.