MANILA — Former Sen. Leila de Lima on Friday received an apology from former Bureau of Corrections officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos, one of the government's key witnesses in her controversial drug case.

De Lima and Ragos crossed paths at the hallways of Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court, where the former senator's drug case was being heard.

• De Lima muling humarap sa pagdinig ng illegal drug case sa Muntinlupa court

In a video, Ragos was seen reaching for De Lima's hand and was heard saying sorry.

“I am really sorry. Talagang natakot ako,” Ragos told De Lima.

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Ragos apologizes to De Lima over drug claims | Contributed video

Ragos underwent cross examination regarding the recantation of his testimony against De Lima.

Ragos’ claim that he personally delivered a total of P10 million to De Lima’s former bodyguard Ronnie Dayan allegedly in her house in Parañaque in November and December 2012 was instrumental in keeping the drug case against De Lima alive.

• Ex-BuCor OIC Ragos admits he was coerced to link De Lima to illegal drug trade

Ragos alleged he was coerced by former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to implicate De Lima. Aguirre has denied the claim.

This week, Aguirre presented a video recording of Ragos supposedly freely and spontaneously narrating to a lawyer from the Public Attorney's Office his allegations against De Lima.

• Aguirre refutes Ragos; warns he could be jailed for taking back claims vs De Lima
• Ex-Justice Secretary admits he met Ragos at casino resort in 2016

On Nov. 25, Ragos will face another cross examination before the Muntinlupa RTC.

• De Lima case: Muntinlupa court allows Ragos to testify on his recantation

— Report from Johnson Manabat, ABS-CBN News

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