Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra. INQUIRER file photo / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines — Chinese national Xu Zhi Jian, alias Jacky Co, who was tagged by Senator Panfilo Lacson as involved in the smuggling of P1.8-billion worth of shabu seized last March, is not on the Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization) watchlist, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Friday.
Xu, according to Lacson, had been in and out of the country despite involvement in criminal activities.
Guevarra said he was informed by a consul of China that Xu has a pending case in his country.
“However, he is not in the Interpol watchlist and this is certified by the Interpol NCB (National Central Bureau) Manila,” said Guevarra.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) already said there are no records that Xu left the country last April 3 as claimed by Lacson. But Immigration records showed that Xu left the country on March 20.
“As there was no existing hold departure order against the said person, nor any Interpol alert during that time, the BI allowed said person to depart,” Guevarra said.
On Friday, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) already filed before the Department of Justice a complaint for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act against Xu and 16 other personalities.
Guevarra said once a preliminary investigation started, “we may consider applying for a precaution hold departure order with the proper court.”
READ: PDEA files charges vs Jacky Co, 16 others in P1.8 ‘shabu’ smuggling
Guevarra added that he will also order the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct its own probe “and then identify whom to charge later.” (Editor: Julie Espinosa)