House probe on P3.5 billion Laos drug haul begins

MANILA, Philippines —   The House of Representatives will begin its investigation into the P3.5-billion drug shipment from Laos. Today’s resource persons are Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Isagani Nerez.

Remulla and Nerez are expected to report on the attempted smuggling of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu to Manila, Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos said.

“The briefing will focus on verified facts, the status of ongoing investigations by different 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,” Santos said.

Ten senior state officials who may have relevant information about the drug shipment will be asked to testify, he said.

“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. Allegations must be examined fairly and every individual must be given the opportunity to respond,” Santos said.

The House briefing comes amid concerns over the reach of transnational drug trafficking rings and their alleged use of international routes to transport the contraband into the Philippines.

Remulla had identified former Bangsamoro parliament member Edriezan Hadji Nasser Rimbang as the alleged “financier of the entire operation.”

Rimbang, an ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte, has ignored a subpoena of the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

The CIDG has summoned about 40 people and companies to air their side.

CIDG director Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II said Rimbang, Abdulah Karim Macalatas, Abdullah Rimbang Macarimbang and Aldren Samante did not show up for the probe.

Police went to the known addresses of Rimbang and the three others based on official records from the Land Transportation Office and Commission on Elections, as well as their social media platforms, but they were nowhere to be found, Morico said.

Morico said they would submit a report to Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. for his approval before transmitting the document to the PDEA.

Based on the CIDG’s investigation, Rimbang shelled out P11.5 million to smuggle the illegal drugs, including the payment for a chartered flight that costs around $120,000 or P7 million.

Remulla also named Executive M/Sgt. Aileen Mendoza of the Aviation Security Group as a person of interest in connection with the shipment.

Mendoza allegedly arranged the arrival flight of the aircraft that was supposed to transport 521 kilos of shabu.

Remulla said Mendoza had been relieved and placed under restrictive custody.

Rioklyn Toledo, a former commercial airline pilot known by his nickname Boyet, allegedly procured the private jet and arranged its travel from Malaysia to Laos.

Lao authorities seized on Oct. 1 the illegal drugs at the Luang Prabang International Airport before these were loaded into a Manila-bound chartered jet.