Lacson calls for probe on claim pols got drug money from ‘Jaguar’

Senator Ping Lacson. TARRA QUISMUNDO/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson wants the Senate to look into allegations that certain public officials had allegedly received up to P5 million weekly payola from slain suspected drug lord, Jeffrey Diaz alias “Jaguar.”

“Jaguar” was killed in a police operation conducted in Las Piñas City last June 17, 2016.

BACKSTORY: Cebu’s ‘top drug lord’ killed in police encounter

In Senate Resolution No. 264, Lacson directs the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, which he chairs, to investigate the “truth and veracity” of the allegation.

The resolution cited the affidavits of Reynaldo “Jumbo” Diaz, first cousin and alleged right-hand man of the slain suspected drug lord, where he allegedly detailed Jaguar’s drug operation in the province and city of Cebu from 2003 to 2015.

Diaz supposedly narrated how “Jaguar” initially obtained shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) from small-time distributors around the area before he shifted to Peter Co as his “main source” when they met around 2007 and 2008.

Jaguar and Co allegedly used different couriers to deliver shabu and deposit the money to different bank accounts. The transactions allegedly ranged from 50 to 100 kilos of shabu per month.

“The said affidavits likewise indicated that part of the drug operation was the giving of payola or protection money to certain public officials and politicians,” the resolution said.

“Payola money allegedly paid to officials would range from P60,000 weekly to P5 million, which was given in relation to the 2016 elections,” it said.

READ: Rody names politicians, judges, cops allegedly into illegal drugs

Diaz’s affidavits also claimed that the police operation where Jaguar was killed was only “staged” and was conducted to silence him because of his alleged plan to reveal to the media all the public officials, who received payola from him.

“The alleged involvement of public officials in drug operations and in the liquidation of drug lords is alarming information that necessitates an immediate investigation to ensure that public officials, especially the members of the law enforcement are not used in the commission of illegal activities, and to come up with remedial legislation to ensure that public officials involved in illegal drug operations are made accountable to the full extent of the law,” the resolution said. IDL