Lapeña still has Duterte’s trust — Palace

Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Isidro Lapeña is still enjoying President Rodrigo Duterte’s trust and confidence despite the P6.8-billion “shabu” (chrystal meth) shipment that slipped into the country in August, Malacañang said Thursday.

“The President has not said that he is losing trust and confidence in him (Lapeña), so the assumption is, he has [Duterte’s trust and confidence],” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

Panelo made the remark after Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director (PDEA) Director General Aaron Aquino, in an interview over dzBB, claimed that Lapeña should be held liable for the P6.8 billion worth of shabu that entered the country under the watch of BOC.

Panelo said the Palace is just waiting for the investigation of the Department of Justice (DOJ) before making any action.

READ: P6.8-B ‘shabu’ smuggling: BOC men probed

“The DOJ has ordered an investigation. The NBI is presently conducting the subject matter. So hopefully after the findings, we will undertake positive action regarding the matter,” he said.

In August, PDEA agents discovered that a ton of shabu was smuggled into the country after they found four magnetic lifters with traces of shabu or crystal meth in a warehouse in General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite. /ee

READ: Blame game starts in issue of smuggled ‘shabu’ worth P6.8 billion