PNP conducts manhunt vs ex-cop Acierto, et. al

Former police officer Eduardo Acierto. File photo / AP

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is now hunting down dismissed Police Colonel Eduardo Acierto and seven others indicted for their alleged involvement in the smuggling of billions worth of “shabu” placed inside the controversial magnetic lifters.

The manhunt against Acierto was announced by PNP chief General Oscar Albayalde on Thursday, as he said the police already received on Wednesday copies of the arrest warrants directing the police to arrest the personalities.

“Yesterday, we were able to secure the copies of the warrants of arrest, and we are now conducting manhunt operations,” Albayalde said in a chance interview at Camp Crame.

READ: Acierto, 7 others ordered arrested over shabu in magnetic lifters

He said the PNP is now searching places where Acierto could be hiding. Acierto suddenly disappeared in October 2018 since being implicated in the smuggling of illegal drugs.

“Sa ngayon lahat ng pwede niyang puntahan, pinupuntahan na natin [Right now, we are searching places where he might go]. We have tracker teams created from the CIDG [Criminal Investigation and Detection Group],” Albayalde said.

He said the PNP believes Acierto is still in the country.

Aside from Acierto, those ordered arrested by the court are former Customs Intelligence Officer Jimmy Guban and former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Deputy Director for Administration Ismael Fajardo; importers Chan Yee Wah, alias KC Chan; Zhou Quan, alias Zhang Quan; consignees Vedasto Cabral Baraquel Jr. and Maria Lagrimas Catipan of Vecaba Trading; and Emily Luquingan.

The personalities are facing a case filed by the Department of Justice for the importation of illegal drugs under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. No bail was recommended.

According to Albayalde, the case could also be a ground for the cancelation of licenses of any firearms the accused persons may have.  /jpv