Faeldon blasts ‘smear campaign’ on social media

Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon on Monday slammed as “outrageous” an alleged attempt to link him into illegal drugs following the circulation of a photo on social media showing him in the company of the owner of a warehouse where kilos of illegal drugs were seized.

The photo, which circulated on social media on Sunday, showed Faeldon standing beside Richard Chen, owner of Hongfei Logistics warehouse in Valenzuela where authorities confiscated 605 kilos of high-grade shabu with estimated worth of P6.5 billion.

Faeldon said the posts on social media “maliciously” implied that it was taken on the day the storage house was taken before the raid on May 26.

He said it was part of the “smear campaign” against him.

“This attempt to link me in the apprehended shabu is outrageous. The photos themselves will prove that I only met Mr. Chen on the day of the raid itself,” the Commissioner said.

Faeldon explained that on the day of the raid, Chen requested to have a photo with him. The Commissioner said he “reluctantly agreed” out of courtesy.

“The people behind this malicious attack only proved that I had crossed big names in the illegal drugs trade. However, this will not slow down our fight against drugs,” he added.

Faeldon’s leadership of the Bureau of Customs was put into question after the illegal drugs went past through the “express lane” of the BOC. Congress is currently investigating the issue. JE

Customs chief Nicanor Faeldon admits taking photo with Hongfei Logistics warehouse owner Richard Chen on the day of the raid that yielded P6.5-billion worth of shabu. Photo from Bureau of Customs Public Information and Assistance Division