House probe into multi-billion Pampanga drug haul pushed
MANILA, Philippines — Two ranking lawmakers from the House of Representatives have called for an investigation into the recent seizures of large volumes of shabu in Pampanga, amid fears that syndicates are colluding with local authorities.
House Resolution No. 1346, filed by Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. and Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers on Monday, asked the House committee on dangerous drugs to probe the following anti-drug operations:
- seizure of P3.6 billion shabu found in a Mexico, Pampanga warehouse
- discovery of P1.3 billion shabu in an abandoned car in Mabalacat City, Pampanga
Gonzales represents the 3rd district of Pampanga, while Barbers is head of the concerned House panel.
“There is a need to revisit all relevant laws to combat the increasing number of drug smugglers, traffickers, and syndicates in our country through effective law enforcement and successful prosecution,” Gonzales and Barbers said in the resolution.
“Now, therefore, be it resolved, as it is hereby resolved by the House of Representatives, to direct the Committee on Dangerous Drugs to conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation, on how the P3.6 billion worth of shabu seized in the Municipality of Mexico, and the P1.3 billion worth of shabu discovered in the City of Mabalacat, Province of Pampanga were smuggled into the country despite intensified campaign against illegal drugs,” they added.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel’s Headstart on Monday morning, Barbers said there may be a need to check on the Bureau of Customs (BOC( policies given that the illegal drugs may have slipped past the country’s ports — particularly in this case, the Port of Subic.
