Rody names 3 Triad drug lords, pins Garbo

Police Director Marcelo Garbo Jr. answers questions from Inquirer Editorial team duirng interview at PDI office. EDWIN BACASMAS

President Duterte on Thursday identified three alleged “top tier” drug lords operating in the country, two of them currently detained at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

Mr. Duterte said drug lords were disrespecting the country, and destroying the youth and the land.

“My appeal to them is since they are beyond redemption, they can stop and commit suicide  because I will not allow these idiots to run their show, not [on] my watch,” he said.

The President identified the drug lords as Luzon Triad member Wu Tuan, alias Peter Co; Visayan Triad member Peter Lim, alias Jaguar, and Herbert Colangco, alias Ampang, who is allied with the Parojinog drug syndicate or Kuratong Baleleng.

Triad refers to a criminal syndicate with origins in China. The Kuratong Baleleng is a gang that figured in a shootout with agents led by crime czar Panfilo Lacson, now a senator, in which 11 members were killed in 1996.

Co and Colangco are both detained in NBP in Muntinlupa City.

Mr. Duterte also identified retired PNP Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo as the alleged associate or protector of Lim. Garbo was one of five police officials named by the President on Tuesday as alleged protectors of drug syndicates.

“This would show to you how corrosive or how broad the dimension of our problems regarding drugs,” he said in comments aired over PTV 4 last night.

Lim, Co, and Colangco supposedly get their supply from China and are all Level 5, or top tier drug lords, meaning they supply the largest number of drugs per shipment, according to Solicitor General Jose Calida.

Lim, or Jaguar, is believed to be out of the Philippines, Calida said.

Another drug lord, Jeffrey Diaz, also alias Jaguar, was killed recently in Las Piñas City.

Below these Level 5 drug lords are persons of interest composed of Chinese nationals, Philippine National Police  officials, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology officials, and local government officials, Calida said.

“Our President will divulge their identities in succeeding press conferences,” Calida said.

Commenting on Lim, Mr. Duterte warned him about returning to the country.

“The moment he steps out of the plane, he will die. That is my assurance to the people of the Philippines. How? Never mind. He should just not return here,” Mr. Duterte said.

He also warned Co and Colangco against escaping from prison. “You will die,” he said.

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