‘President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos arrives on Tuesday at Alitagtag, Batangas, as police continue their inventory of the 1.8 tons of “shabu” (crystal meth) intercepted on Monday. Marcos said the success of the current drug war is “much more than what has been achieved in the past.” —(INQUIRER / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA)
MANILA, Philippines — Two vehicles connected to the multi-billion peso drug haul in Alitagtag, Batangas, were found abandoned in San Luis, Pampanga, last April 21, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
PNP Spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the Calabarzon police’s investigation and backtracking of CCTV footage helped them locate and recover a black sports utility vehicle at a cemetery and a white one at a cockpit’s parking lot.
“Base sa imbistagsyon ng PNP Calabarzon, kasama na yung backtracking ng mga CCTV footages itong dalawang sasakyan po ay nakitang kasama noong Foton van na minamaneho ng suspect kung saan nakuha sa possession nya 1.4 tons of illegal drugs,” Fajardo said in a press briefing.
(Based on the investigation of the PNP Calabarzon and their backtracking of CCTV footage, the two vehicles were accompanying the Foton van driven by the suspect, who yielded 1.4 tons of illegal drugs.)
Fajardo said the vehicles were recovered bearing different license plates but found the actual plates captured in the CCTV footage.
In addition, Fajardo said police also found the Official Receipt / Certificate of Registration of both SUVs.
The vehicles are now in the custody of Highway Patrol Group – Calabarzon.
They will be subjected to forensic examination, macro-etching, or a verification procedure that uses a paint remover to check that the numbers are valid and not tampered with.
Witnesses, possible suspects
According to Fajardo, investigators have already interviewed some witnesses from San Luis but opted not to identify them.
She said these witnesses have led investigators to a “logbook” confirming that the three vehicles were traveling together.
When asked about the identities and descriptions of vehicles’ drivers, Fajardo opted not to reveal any details about them but assured the public that they are “pursuing good leads.”
Aside from the vehicles, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos earlier revealed that authorities found a yacht connected to the P9.68 billion shabu haul.
The narcotics were found inside a van bound for Parañaque City. Authorities asked its driver, identified as Alajon Michael Zarate, to pull over while in transit heading towards Lipa City.