The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday apprehended a co-accused in one of former Senator Leila de Lima's drug cases after an alleged unlawful escape from detention center.
Inmate Jose Adrian Dera allegedly escaped from an NBI detention cell in Manila.
According to reports, six officials of NBI Security Management Division (NBI-SMD) allegedly supported Dera in his "excursion" and allowed him to ride in an NBI van on Tuesday night.
Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesperson Mico Clavano said that Dera was apprehended while entering the NBI building where some agents were waiting for him.
Some pistols and cash were retrieved from the escaped inmate.
Clavano said that an investigation is underway to uncover the facts behind Dera's alleged release from the NBI prison facility, and that the NBI-SMD official was fired following the incident.
In the previous reports, Dera was the alleged bagman of suspended Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo 'Arnie' Teves Jr. However, Dera's lawyer Ray Palad refuted this accusation.
Meanwhile, in another development, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio filed an indirect contempt charge against De Lima and other lawmakers for allegedly violating the sub judice rule and pressuring Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 256 Judge Romeo Buenaventura.
