De Lima’s ex-bodyguard, Ronnie Dayan is hiding.
Senator Leila de Lima revealed Ronnie Dayan, her former driver-bodyguard, had gone into hiding for a long time because of alleged threats to his life.
De Lima is said to have had a romantic relationship with Dayan, who is married, but she has repeatedly denied the allegations.
Dayan was sent subpoena to face the hearing of the Lower House but he has not surfaced.
In a media briefing on Thursday, De Lima said Dayan was in “constant danger” even before the House inquiry on their alleged involvement in illegal drug operations in the New Bilibid Prison started.
“May mga impormasyon siya na talaga daw target siya, nai-re-raid siya sa bahay at meron mga papalabasin na meron siyang firearms and then, aarestuhin siya and then pipilitin siya na maging state witness,” De Lima said.
“And worse, meron ding apprehension na patayin siya,” she added.
“Yun ang sinabi niya sa last communication with him. That is why he said na ‘talagang magtatago ako kung ganyan gagawin nila sa’kin,” De Lima said.
De Lima noted she had no communication with her former employee although there were at most two instances when Dayan’s child sent her a text message.
“I don’t know where he is,” De Lima said.
The House justice committee which conducted a probe on the NBP drug trade had previously issued an order of contempt and warrant of arrest for Dayan.
According to some high-profile inmates in the NBP who faced the hearing, they revealed that Dayan received drug payoffs from convicted drug lords inside the national penitentiary on De Lima’s behalf.
The female senator also doubted the House panel’s intention into forcing Dayan to appear in the inquiry.
“Do you think they would look into the proliferation of drugs diyan sa House inquiry na yan? The real target lang there is to further vilify me and to further downgrade or destroy yung charcter or reputation ko,” she said.
“In other words, pagpe-pyestahan lang siya diyan sa House inquiry na yan at pipilitin siguro na paaminin na mayroong so-called sex video and all that,” De Lima added.