Former BuCor Director Rafael Ragos Passes Away
Former Bureau of Corrections director general Rafael Ragos passed away on August 12, his family confirmed. Officials reported that the cause of death has not been disclosed. Ragos was widely recognized for his service in the Bureau of Corrections and as deputy director of the National Bureau of Investigation.
“Thank you, Tito Pael, for your legacy in serving your family and our beloved country,” his nephew wrote on social media, expressing heartfelt gratitude for his uncle’s dedication. Community members noted that Ragos left a significant mark in both law enforcement and justice sectors.
Rafael Ragos and the Drug Trafficking Cases
Ragos played a critical role as one of the key witnesses in one of the three drug trafficking cases filed against former Justice Secretary and now Mamamayang Liberal party-list Representative Leila de Lima. She faced accusations of orchestrating illegal drug trade activities within the New Bilibid Prison during her tenure.
In 2019, Ragos testified that he delivered drug money to de Lima’s residence twice in late 2012, following orders from Hans Tan, a high-profile inmate allegedly involved in the prison’s drug operations. When questioned about receiving instructions from a convict, Ragos explained he believed the money originated from another notorious inmate, Peter Co.
This testimony became a foundation for one of the charges filed against de Lima before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court. However, in a dramatic turn of events, Ragos publicly recanted his statements in April 2022, revealing the complexity behind the case.
Recantation and Allegations of Coercion
Ragos apologized to de Lima and disclosed that he was coerced into giving false testimonies and signing fabricated affidavits by then National Police Commission Commissioner Vitaliano Aguirre II and Department of Justice public prosecutors, sources said. He also identified former Napolcom undersecretary Raymund Mecate as one of those who pressured him to lie.
In November 2022, Ragos reaffirmed his recantation in court, which became instrumental in de Lima’s eventual acquittal in May 2023. Local leaders emphasized that his courage to correct the record helped expose the manipulation behind the politically charged cases.
De Lima Honors Rafael Ragos’ Conscience
In a public statement, Representative Leila de Lima expressed her condolences to Ragos’ family and honored his decision to recant false testimonies against her. She said, “I honor his conscience in recanting his false testimonies against me which led to my acquittal in one of the trumped-up illegal drug charges.”
She further thanked him for identifying those who conspired against her. “I thank him for his courage in identifying the personalities behind the conspiracy to destroy my reputation and put me in unjust detention,” she added. De Lima, a known critic of former President Rodrigo Duterte, spent seven years in detention amid these controversies.
Ragos’ passing marks the end of a complex chapter in Philippine justice. His journey from witness to recanter highlights the challenges faced by those involved in high-profile legal battles.
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