Levistes deny knowledge of ‘shabu’ lab in family ranch

MANILA, Philippines—Batangas Vice Gov. Marc Leviste and his father, Conrad, have submitted affidavits to the Department of Justice denying knowing that a compound in a ranch in Lipa City owned by their family was being used by a drug syndicate.

Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera said the Levistes and LBJ Development Corp. secretary Benedicto Orense, assisted by their lawyer, filed their affidavits on Tuesday afternoon, ahead of Wednesday’s continuation of the preliminary investigation of the drug case filed against the three suspects who were arrested at LPL Ranch Estate by the police on Christmas Day.

Chinese-Filipino Gary Tan and Filipinos Argay and Rochelle Argenos were arrested during the raid. About 84 kilos of “shabu” and two firearms were seized from them.

The Levistes, including Conrad’s twin brother, former Batangas Gov. Antonio Leviste, were dragged into the case after it turned out that LBJ managed the estate on behalf of Running Spring Real Estate Inc., the real owner of the property.

Incorporation records also showed that LBJ is co-owned by other members of the Leviste clan, with Conrad listed as the corporate treasurer.

We own it, but

In his affidavit, the vice governor admitted that his family owns Running Spring, founded in 1994. He said, however, that he had not been involved in the company’s business since he was elected to office.

“As a nominal stockholder of the company, I have not participated in any way in the operations of Running Spring since I was elected as a public official. I earlier informed my family of my intent not to be involved, and … chose to concentrate on my duties [as a] government [official] and render public service,” he said.

He said he subsequently learned that the compound was leased last year by LBJ, through Orense, to Jorge Torres, a Filipino-American. The police said the place was used to store and distribute illegal drugs.

The vice governor said he had never met Torres nor the three people who were arrested and charged with violations of the illegal drugs and firearms laws.

Unaware

Torres, whom authorities said had links with Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel, has already fled the country.

Leviste deplored reports linking him and his family to illegal drugs.

“I was unaware of any illegal activity that was being conducted inside the property of Running Spring by Torres or any of the respondents. I specifically deny any insinuation, hint, allusion, innuendo, allegation or reference that my family members, our family companies or myself have any direct or indirect connection with the Sinaloa Mexico and/or Chinese drug cartels,” he said.

“As a law-abiding citizen, I would not and will never allow any of our family’s properties to be used by any person for illegal activities. As a public official, I will never allow the manufacture, sale or proliferation of drugs to be done in the province of Batangas and I will use the powers of my office to enforce laws of the Republic to its full extent,” he added.

‘Resource persons’

The justice department subpoenaed the Levistes as “resource persons” in the investigation of the case to establish the ownership of the property.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the parole granted former Governor Leviste may be revoked if it was proven that he owned the property and knew that it was being used in the drug trade.