No charges filed vs De Lima’s driver
URBIZTONDO–Being an employee of the secretary of justice must have its privileges.
This appeared to be the case of Ronnie Dayan, reportedly a driver-bodyguard of DOJ Sec. Leila de Lima, who has not been charged after allegedly punching a policeman and threatening to kill a village watchman in Barangay Dalanguiring here.
Chief Inspector Wilfredo Cabanayan, town police chief, no charges have been filed against Dayan because there were no witnesses besides those accosted by Dayan.
In effect, the complaint supposed to be filed against Ronnie Dayan lacks substance.
“We have the alleged evidence – bullet shells – but that is not enough to establish probable cause. There are no witnesses to support the complaint,” Cabanayan said.
He said he had advised Rolando Palisoc Calugay and his mother Percilita that they could file the complaint with the evidence at hand and could look for witnesses later but the two have not returned since to file the charges.
Dayan, reports said, threatened to kill Calugay in front of the latter’s mother when the former failed to locate the Calugay.
Calugay, a barangay watchman, told Cabanayan that witnesses are hesitant to come forward for fear of their lives.
“It’s up to them if they can produce witnesses. Dayan and Palisoc are reportedly relatives and live in the same barangay,” Cabanayan said.
Dayan’s middle name is Palisoc.
The police official said the bullet shells were submitted for cross matching.
The shells were believed to have come from a caliber .45 pistol that Dayan allegedly fired indiscriminately when he made the threats.
The police chief said they would verify the owner of the gun and its license.
The permit to carry firearms outside residence in Pangasinan remains suspended.
“Based on our investigation, the complainants themselves are proud of Dayan for his achievements. It appeared the incident was due to the influence of liquor,” Cabanayan said.
Subsequent reports filed by the police showed it was Dayan’s unidentified companion, reportedly his bodyguard, who fired the gun when Dayan reportedly punched police officer Ariel Hardinoza of the Alcala town police. The two settled the matter amicably after a talk at the police station.
The national media had reported Dayan’s alleged romantic link with the Justice secretary when jueteng whistle-blower Sandra Cam opposed the De Lima’s confirmation as justice secretary. (With report from Tita Roces)
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