Ex-Cebu cop links De Lima to Jaguar

CEBU, Philippines - Former Cebu City policeman and murder convict Engilberto Durano was among the witnesses presented by the Department of Justice before the House Committee on Justice to prove Senator Leila De Lima's alleged involvement in the proliferation of illegal drugs inside the New Bilibid Prison.

Durano tagged De Lima as protector of the late drug lord Jeffrey "Jaguar" Diaz and the fugitive Kerwin Espinosa, who is said to be the drug kingpin in Eastern Visayas.

He told the members of the committee that he personally delivered to De Lima P1.5 million in protection money from Jaguar.

Durano said it was him who referred Diaz to De Lima's former driver, Ronnie Dayan, who was requesting to raise campaign funds for the senator in exchange of protection.

"Bandang January 2014, sinabihan ko si Jaguar tungkol sa 'protection money' at naging lubos na interesado si Jaguar sa nasabing alok ni Ronnie," Durano said.

Durano said Dayan had illegal drug transactions with Diaz through three Banco de Oro bank accounts with a total amount of P27.3 million.

He said he befriended Diaz when the latter was imprisoned at the NBP because they were both members of the Batang Cebu Brotherhood (BC45). 

He recalled that sometime between December and November 2014, Diaz asked him to help raise P1.5 million for de Lima. Durano said he borrowed money from fellow inmate, Noel Martinez, because his cash was not enough.

The money was allegedly gift-wrapped in a shoe box and he personally delivered to de Lima at the office of the "Commando" gang led by Jaybee Sebastian.

"Inabot ko na kay Secretary de Lima ang kahon na may lamang P1.5 million at sinabi 'Ma'am, ito na po'," Durano said.

Durano was convicted in the murder of tricycle driver Rogelio Bacalso in 2000. He was sentenced to suffer life imprisonment in 2004. He was also charged with frustrated murder because of the shooting of lone witness Lloyd Carampatan in 2001.

Durano was also implicated in the kidnapping of school grader Ryan James Yu in 2001. — with reports from Philippine Star (FREEMAN)