THE House Committee on Dangerous Drugs has summoned Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Isagani R. Nerez as it investigates the alleged attempted smuggling of P3.5 billion worth of crystal meth (shabu) from Laos to the Philippines.
Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony G. Santos, committee chairman, said the panel would also seek the appearance of 10 other senior government officials who may have information about the shipment.
“The briefing will focus on verified facts, the status of ongoing investigations by concerned agencies, the basis for establishing any Philippine connection to the shipment, and measures to prevent the entry of illegal drugs and combat related transnational criminal activities,” Mr. Santos said in a statement on Wednesday.
Mr. Remulla earlier identified a former Bangsamoro Parliament member as the alleged financier of the operation and a police official as a person of interest for allegedly arranging the arrival of the aircraft.
Authorities also identified former commercial airline pilot as the person who allegedly procured the private aircraft and arranged its travel from Malaysia to Laos.
Reports said authorities seized 23 pieces of luggage containing the suspected illegal drugs at Luang Prabang International Airport in Laos. The shipment, declared as vape products, was reportedly intended for transport to Manila aboard a chartered Learjet 55B.
“We will follow the evidence wherever it leads. No one should be beyond scrutiny when the objective is to protect the public from the illegal drug trade,” Mr. Santos said. — Pexcel John Bacon