JUST IN: Warrant of Arrest Issued Against Senator De Lima

On Thursday, February 23, 2017, the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court officially sent out a warrant of arrest against Senator Leila De Lima. 

According to a report by GMA NEWS ONLINE,  the arrest order was given for one of three drug trafficking-related cases that were filed against the senator and former justice secretary.

The Department of Justice is responsible for the drug trafficking-related cases that were filed against De Lima. 

Shortly after the warrant was sent, members of the press got the chance to interview Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II who seemed to be in high spirits upon hearing the news. Aguirre said it (the arrest warrant) was "expected because we filed a strong case."

The arrest warrant was apparently one of three that were issued by Judge Juanita Guerrero of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court on Thursday. The former Bureau of Corrections Officer-in-Charge, Rafael Ragos and De Lima's former bodyguard/driver were also sent arrest warrants. 

According to Rafael Ragos' affidavit, De Lima allegedly received 10 Million pesos in 2012 and 2013; the money is believed to be the product of various drug deals. Ragos revealed that he personally delivered the money to the senator's house in Paranaque, accompanied by his aide, Jovencio Ablen, Jr. Ragos' affidavit was used by the Department of Justice to file cases against De Lima.

The DOJ reportedly said the following in ajoint resolution:

"In December 2012, he (Ragos) received a call to deliver a plastic bag containing money from (convict) Peter Co to Dayan. The bag was left on his bedside at the BuCor quarters. He and Ablen went to the house of De Lima, where he handed the bag to Dayan."

"On four occasions in January 2013, he received P1.7 million from Ablen broken down as follows: P1 million, P300,000 and two P200,000, all of which came from inmates. He delivered the money to Dayan at De Lima's house." 

According to the trusted local news site, Rappler, the official order for the arrest of De Lima, Ragos, and Dayan stated the following:

"After a careful evaluation of the herein Information and all the evidence presented during the preliminary investigation conducted in this case by the Department of Justice, Manila, the Court finds sufficient probable cause for the issuance of Warrants of Arrest against Leila M. de Lima, Rafael Marcos Z. Ragos and Ronnie Palisoc Dayan." 

source: trendingnewsportal