THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has formally charged inmate Jad Dera and six others with the Department of Justice (DOJ) following their recent arrest for unauthorized furlough.

Dera, a co-accused of former senator Leila de Lima in illegal drug charges, faces charges of corruption of public officials/employees, while the six NBI security personnel have been accused of violating Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) during the inquest at the DOJ.

Dera was apprehended in the early hours of Wednesday while attempting to re-enter the NBI detention facility in Manila after an unauthorized trip.

According to Atty. Mico Clavano, Justice Assistant Secretary and spokesperson, Dera was found in possession of an undisclosed amount of cash, firearms, and a cellular phone.

However, there is currently no concrete evidence linking Dera to Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr.

Reports allege that Dera was acting as a bagman for Teves, and the confiscated cash was intended as bribery money for detained suspects involved in the murder case of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.

Meanwhile, Atty. Marc Anthony Te stated in a chance interview with reporters that Dera left the NBI along with security personnel in a marked government vehicle to seek emergency medical attention for acid reflux from an undisclosed medical facility.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Hector Lawas