AMLC tapped in P3.5 billion Laos drug haul probe

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has tapped the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to join the investigation into the aborted shipment of 521 kilos of suspected shabu worth P3.54 billion from Laos to the Philippines.

The AMLC will come in for the financial aspect of the drug shipment, which was allegedly financed by former Bangsamoro parliament member Edrieza Hadji Nasser Rimbang.

PNP spokesman Col. Allen Rae Co said yesterday AMLC representatives were present during a case conference led by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) at Camp Crame on Tuesday.

“We are now in the process of evaluating all the evidence that we have compiled for the eventual joint transmittal of the case,” Co said.

Laos authorities seized the illegal drugs at the Luang Prabang International Airport on Oct. 1 after they intercepted a chartered private jet allegedly bound for the Philippines.

Co said three persons who were summoned by the CIDG to air their side on the drug shipment have ignored the subpoenas. He did not say if Rimbang was among them.

“We are calling on them to appear before the CIDG because failure to appear can lead to a case for indirect contempt,” Co said.

Rimbang has denied involvement in the drug shipment and criticized the government for implicating him and members of his family.

A large-scale conspiracy involving high-ranking government officials is likely behind the drug shipment, Sen. Raffy Tulfo said yesterday.

During a Senate hearing of the committee on public services, Tulfo said the smuggling attempt could not be orchestrated without the collusion of top personnel from agencies handling the entry of chartered flights, specifically Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ).

“We’re talking about billions of pesos. I couldn’t imagine that there was no conspiracy among agencies here,” said Tulfo, who chairs the committee.

“A sergeant alone cannot do this. I need to know who is the head of the CIQ,” he added.

The senator’s remarks came during a tense interrogation of M/Sgt. Aileen Jayne Manalo Mendoza of the PNP Aviation Security Group (AVSEGROUP).

Mendoza, who attended the hearing virtually, allegedly arranged the rental of the aircraft intended to receive the contraband upon its arrival in the country.

Mendoza maintained she was unaware that the chartered flight – which was scheduled to arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Luang Prabang International Airport on Oct. 1 – carried illegal drugs.

She thought that the cargo consisted of vapes and cigarettes and denied informing her supervisor, Joana Sarcilla, about the transaction.

“What I did was look for an aircraft to rent. After the payment, my job was done,” Mendoza explained.

Tulfo pointed out that since Mendoza admittedly knew she was dealing with vapes and cigarettes, which require strict customs duties and facilitation, she should have reported it up the chain of command.

The senator formally recommended the suspension of Sarcilla pending further investigation.

In response to the committee, PNP AVSEGROUP director Brig. Gen. Dionisio Bartolome Jr. confirmed that key personnel from the AVSEGROUP National Capital Region have been relieved from their posts and are currently under investigation. –  Neil Jayson Servallos

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