Drugs sold in Dong’s club

CEBU, Philippines - Although party drugs are sold inside the controversial LIV Superclub in Mandaue City, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has cleared the management of any involvement in the illegal drug trade.

PDEA-7 Director Yogi Felimon Ruiz said they found out that ecstasy and shabu are being sold inside the club by street level drug peddlers who are taking advantage of the crowd in the area.

Ruiz said the club is one of the three nightspots in Mandaue that they monitored because of rampant illegal drug activities.

He said there are also two other nightclubs in Cebu City that are being used by unscrupulous people.

“The good thing is we have the cooperation of the management sila mao ang niimbitar nato. So we have the cooperation nila. I can read it, nga di sila gusto nga maapektar anang ilahang negosyo by this people kay kaning mga tawhana among gitan-aw didto. They are just trying to take advantage nga kusog ang traffic sa lugar,” Ruiz said.

 Ruiz said they have already identified these people and that the club management has nothing to do with them.

“We were able to gather information also kung kinsa ni mga tawhana but they are not related to (the club), I am not defending sa club ha, but it would be unfair man gud if ako ingnon apil sila. During the course of our investigation they were not related to the club,” Ruiz said.

He explained that they cannot also recklessly conduct anti-illegal drug operation in these areas to avoid unexpected commotion.

“As much as possible di man gud ta gusto nga magka-commotion diha kay kung magka-commotion diha sa sulod, you have to take into consideration daghan tawo, what if mosukol, we need to use our force, mas dako pa hinuon nga kagubot ang mahitabo,”he explained.

 Ruiz said that the inspection they conducted at LIV Superclub should already serve as a fair warning to other business owners.

 “This should serve as a warning, not only with LIV, but also with the other clubs, nga kung dili sila mo-cooperate sa PDEA during the course in the conduct of our investigation, we can and we will file cases against them,” Ruiz said.

 LIV Superclub had been in the limelight after one of its owners, Kenneth Dong, was named middleman in the P6.4 billion drug shipment from China. The smuggled drugs were found in a warehouse in Valenzuela City.

Ruiz said Dong had been subjected to background investigation by PDEA since last year after receiving reports that he was very extravagant in spending his money.

Ruiz, however, admitted that they did not find anything derogatory against Dong then until the news of his involvement in drug smuggling.

The news also prompted the local government of Mandaue to look into the business papers of the club. The city government found out that the club has been delinquent in paying amusement taxes.

According to the City Treasurer’s Office of Mandaue, LIV Superclub owes the government P361,000 in amusement taxes. The management was supposed to settle their taxes obligation yesterday but failed.

"Hindi na settled today (yesterday) because we are asking for a discount sa penalties. Kasi po dahil sa mga nakaraan din po before nahumina ang sales and most of all lalo ngayon sa nangyayari. But hopefully bukas mapagbigyan yung request namin," said Benray Conti, one of the club's operations managers.

The club was jointly inspected by the Mandaue City officials, Bureau of Fire Protection, and PDEA the other night.

During the inspection, Contisaid they do not allow illegal drugs inside the club.

"Wala pong drugs drugs dito. Only drinking and dancing," said Conti.

He also explained that Dong is only a minority owner of the club and is not directly involved in the operation. (FREEMAN)