Muntinlupa RTC Branch 206 orders arrest of De Lima, former BuCor director Bucayu, others in connection with drug trading case

By Meanne Corvera
Eagle News Service

The Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court has issued a warrant of arrest against Senator Leila de Lima and others in connection with the illegal drug trading case filed against them.

In a two-page decision, Branch 206 Judge Patria Manalastas-De Leon said there was probable cause to arrest De Lima, her alleged bagman Ronnie Dayan, former Bureau of Corrections director Franklin Bucayu and his alleged bagman Ilfredo Elli and De Lima’s former aide Joenel Sanchez.

Also ordered arrested was Jaybee Sebastian, who is serving a sentence for drug-related crimes in the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.

Both De Lima and Dayan are detained based on a warrant of arrest issued by Branch 204 Judge Juanita Guerrero in February.

The warrant was in connection with her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trading in the New Bilibid Prison when she was justice secretary.