Congress begins probe on La Union shabu lab

SAN FERNANDO, La Union – The congressional oversight committee on dangerous drugs chaired by Ilocos Norte Rep. Roquito Ablan started the other day its investigation into the shabu laboratory busted in Naguilian town last July 9.

Chemicals seized from the illegal facility in Barangay Bimmotobot could produce P27 million worth of shabu, not one trillion as earlier estimated, based on the actual computation of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

PDEA Director General Dionisio Santiago revealed the figure in an ambush interview, as his men barred reporters from covering the briefing at the Masigasig Center at Camp Florendo and even blocked a GMA-7 cameraman from getting footage of the meeting.

“Yung chemicals, if mixed, based on actual computation, (could produce shabu worth) only around P27 million. It is not one trillion pesos worth (that would be produce). The figure was bloated. Let’s go to the actual seizure (and do not add other ingredients). There are no other ingredients like ephedrine,” Santiago said, explaining that he was not aware that the briefing was closed to the media.

Authorities seized at least six truckloads of chemicals and equipment, which are now stored at the warehouse of the PDEA regional office at Camp Diego Silang.

In the briefing were La Union Reps. Victor Ortega and Tomas Dumpit Jr., some local officials, and PDEA and police personnel.

Reporters were only allowed to enter the conference venue when Ablan requested for coverage, as Ortega and Dumpit shook hands. The two lawmakers recently figured in a “word war” over the shabu lab issue.    

Santiago said an international syndicate could be behind the shabu lab.

“This is an international syndicate but the timing of the raid (in Naguilian) did not yield (any foreign suspects unlike the operation in Real, Quezon). We’re trying to see the linkages,” he said.

Santiago said authorities have already busted four big shabu labs around the country. “These laboratories are not ordinary (ones). The one in Real, Quezon can produce 700 kilos to one ton of shabu a month,” he said.

After the briefing, the lawmakers inspected the shabu lab site in Naguilian.