Palace: Capture cohorts of alleged drug pusher in Malacañang

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Palace on Thursday urged law enforcers to “relentlessly pursue the capture” of the accomplices of an alleged drug pusher arrested in Malacañang Complex.

In a statement, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the Palace commends the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Presidential Security Group, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and police for the arrest of the suspect identified as Edgar Ventura, who goes by the alias “Face.”

He also urged law enforcers to arrest Vetura’s cohorts and asked for the “full cooperation of all citizens in the ongoing investigation.”

Bersamin added that the operation signifies the “unyielding resolve” of the Marcos administration towards eradicating illegal drugs in our country.

“Let it be known: no corner of this land, no matter how remote or concealed, will serve as a refuge for the producers and distributors of these lethal substances. The full, unforgiving weight of the law will always descend upon them,” he added.

In a statement last October 22, the NBI said they received information about “Face” and a certain Francisco Soriano Jr. “or Juntot” who are allegedly involved in selling shabu and keeping a drug den in San Miguel, Manila.

Authorities conducted an operation on October 16, which led to the arrest of Face. He was later brought to the NBI-Dangerous Drugs Division (DDD) office for booking and processing.

They also seized nine heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing white crystalline substances suspected to be illegal drugs.

“The seized drug items were submitted to the NBI-Forensic Chemistry Division for examination. The 15 individuals present inside the premises during the operation were also invited to the DDD office for drug test,” the NBI statement read.

The NBI also said Ventura would be presented for inquest proceedings for violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Meanwhile, Juntot as well as other individuals who are at large will be charged with the same violation if found positive for use of shabu.