(Eagle News) — The controversial Ronnie Dayan, former bodyguard-driver and lover of Senator Leila De Lima, was presented late Tuesday afternoon (November 22) at the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, saying he is ready to tell everything in an inquiry at the House of Representatives tomorrow, Wednesday (November 23).
Without any handcuffs and wearing a bullet-proof vest, Dayan was presented by PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Tuesday afternoon, about six hours after he was arrested by authorities in San Juan, La Union. Dela Rosa said police finally caught up with Dayan at exactly 11:55 a.m., or just before noon Tuesday.
Dayan, however, refused to answer questions about what his testimony would be, even as the media pressed for answers.
Still Dayan admitted his relationship with De Lima, saying this lasted for seven years. “Totoo po. May relasyon kami. Seven years,” Dayan said when asked about his rumored relationship with the senator.
“Per my interview with him, he (Dayan) told me that he is going to be a friendly witness in the congressional hearing,” Dela Rosa said.
The PNP chief said he asked Dayan to choose whether he would like to be a “hostile” or a “friendly” witness.
“Libre ka. You can be a friendly or hostile witness,” Dela Rosa said, while looking at Dayan at his side. “But he will be a friendly witness, he’s going to tell all. We will not exert undue duress or pressure upon him,” he said.
“Walang gasgas, walang psywar.” he told the media as he urged the press to inspect Dayan’s appearance saying he was free to say anything he wants to.
“Yun lang daw ang gagawin niya sa hearing — magsasabi lang siya ng katotohanan,” Dela Rosa continued.
The PNP chief said they would be turning in Dayan to the House of Representatives.
He said Dayan would be detained in a room in Congress where he would be secured.
“Buhay ha. Hindi mamamatay yan. Talagang isesecure yan,” Dela Rosa said.
“Walang posas ha. He is free as a bird. Basta what is important is safe siya,” he added.
-Dayan hid in the mountains like a hermit –
Police operatives who led the manhunt for Dayan said their search operation lasted exactly one month and 12 days before they finally got to him as he hid in the mountains and hinterlands of La Union.
“Matagal siyang nagtago sa bundok. Para siyang ermitanyo,” Dela Rosa said.
Ironically, one of the areas where Dayan initially hid was a place called Sitio Bato in Barangay Lacong, San Gabriel, La Union, said PNP Chief “Bato” Dela Rosa.
“Nagkaroon ng habulan. Matagal ang chase nila. Nagtago pa sa ilog (si Dayan). Lahat ginawa niya. Pero ang ating operatives magaling na pursuer, hindi sya tinigilan, hanggang nahuli. (There was a chase, a long one. He even hid in a river. He [Dayan] did everything, but our operatives are good pursuers. There was no let-up until he was caught,” the PNP chief said.
The long arm of the law finally caught up with Dayan in Sitio Turod , Brgy. San Felipe, San Juan, La Union.
Police said they were alerted on November 17 as to the place where Dayan was hiding in barangay San Felipe. They then combed the area for “six days and six sleepless nights.”
For Dayan, he said he finally got tired of running. He said he only managed to eat greens, while in hiding.
“Nagpahuli na lang ako,” he claimed.