NBI arrests de Lima's co-accused in drug case
Published Aug 16, 2019 11:25 am
By Jeffrey Damicog and Jonathan Hicap
A co-accused of detained Senator Leila de Lima was arrested Friday morning (August 16) by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents, almost two years after an arrest warrant was issued against him.
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents arrested Jose Adrian Tiamson Dera Friday morning, August 16, 2019, in Angeles City, Pampanga. Dera is the alleged co-accused of Senator Leila De Lima in an illegal drugs case and the only co-accused who remained at large for two years. (Ali Vicoy / MANILA BULLETIN)
NBI spokesman and Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin confirmed that Jose Adrian Dera was arrested by agents of the NBI based on the arrest issued by the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC).
Lavin stated that “our Special Task Force under Chief Geralde arrested this morning in Angeles, Pampanga by virtue of Arrest Warrant issued by Muntinlupa RTC.”
Dera is de Lima’s co-accused in one of three drug charges she is facing before the Muntinlupa RTC in connection with her alleged involvement in the proliferation of the illegal drugs trade at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.
The RTC issued the arrest warrants back in November 2017 which led to the arrest of de Lima and several of her co-accused.
However, Dera has remained at large and has not participated in the court proceedings since then.
Since her arrest, de Lima has been detained at the Custodial Center of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Recently, de Lima was granted furlough by the RTC so she can visit her ailing mother in Iriga City, Camarines Sur.
Not related to Dera
The camp of detained Sen. Leila de Lima's camp has maintained that she was not related by blood or had worked with co-accused Jose Adrian Dera, who was arrested in Pampanga Friday morning.
As early as March 2017, De Lima has denied knowing Dera.
"Media reports keep on referring to Jose Adrian Dera, a co-accused in 2 of the 3 criminal cases pending before the RTC-Muntinlupa as my nephew and former aide. On my oath as an elected public official and as a lawyer, may I tell everyone this—I do not know Mr. Dera at all. He is not a nephew or a relative of mine of any degree. He has not worked for me as an aide or in any capacity. I simply do not know him from Adam,” she wrote in a statement dated March 11, 2017.
Dera is facing charges in two drug cases pending before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court.
During a hearing at the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 205 in March 2017, Dera’s lawyer, Raymund Palad, told the court that Dera was not De Lima’s nephew contrary to the “allegation.” He was never a police officer nor connected to the government, he added.
Palad said Dera was only a police asset and he graduated from Criminology sometime in 2012 or 2013.
Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong told the court then that “we never alleged that information. It was the statement of one of the witnesses,” referring to Dera being the senator’s nephew.
In September 2018, De Lima’s lawyer stated that Dera’s sworn statements stated he denied knowing the senator or he had delivered money or vehicles to her.
“Senator De Lima already denied ever knowing Dera, and there are at least three affidavits wherein Dera himself said he does not know nor is he affiliated with the Senator,” Atty. Boni Tacardon said.
The prosecution is now alleging that Dera is De Lima’s nephew, who solicited money and vehicles from convicted drug lords at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents arrested Jose Adrian Tiamson Dera Friday morning, August 16, 2019, in Angeles City, Pampanga. Dera is the alleged co-accused of Senator Leila De Lima in an illegal drugs case and the only co-accused who remained at large for two years. (Ali Vicoy / MANILA BULLETIN)
NBI spokesman and Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin confirmed that Jose Adrian Dera was arrested by agents of the NBI based on the arrest issued by the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC).
Lavin stated that “our Special Task Force under Chief Geralde arrested this morning in Angeles, Pampanga by virtue of Arrest Warrant issued by Muntinlupa RTC.”
Dera is de Lima’s co-accused in one of three drug charges she is facing before the Muntinlupa RTC in connection with her alleged involvement in the proliferation of the illegal drugs trade at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.
The RTC issued the arrest warrants back in November 2017 which led to the arrest of de Lima and several of her co-accused.
However, Dera has remained at large and has not participated in the court proceedings since then.
Since her arrest, de Lima has been detained at the Custodial Center of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Recently, de Lima was granted furlough by the RTC so she can visit her ailing mother in Iriga City, Camarines Sur.
Not related to Dera
The camp of detained Sen. Leila de Lima's camp has maintained that she was not related by blood or had worked with co-accused Jose Adrian Dera, who was arrested in Pampanga Friday morning.
As early as March 2017, De Lima has denied knowing Dera.
"Media reports keep on referring to Jose Adrian Dera, a co-accused in 2 of the 3 criminal cases pending before the RTC-Muntinlupa as my nephew and former aide. On my oath as an elected public official and as a lawyer, may I tell everyone this—I do not know Mr. Dera at all. He is not a nephew or a relative of mine of any degree. He has not worked for me as an aide or in any capacity. I simply do not know him from Adam,” she wrote in a statement dated March 11, 2017.
Dera is facing charges in two drug cases pending before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court.
During a hearing at the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 205 in March 2017, Dera’s lawyer, Raymund Palad, told the court that Dera was not De Lima’s nephew contrary to the “allegation.” He was never a police officer nor connected to the government, he added.
Palad said Dera was only a police asset and he graduated from Criminology sometime in 2012 or 2013.
Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong told the court then that “we never alleged that information. It was the statement of one of the witnesses,” referring to Dera being the senator’s nephew.
In September 2018, De Lima’s lawyer stated that Dera’s sworn statements stated he denied knowing the senator or he had delivered money or vehicles to her.
“Senator De Lima already denied ever knowing Dera, and there are at least three affidavits wherein Dera himself said he does not know nor is he affiliated with the Senator,” Atty. Boni Tacardon said.
The prosecution is now alleging that Dera is De Lima’s nephew, who solicited money and vehicles from convicted drug lords at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.