PNP: No proof yet drugs seized in Laos, Thailand bound for Philippines

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Friday it was verifying claims that illegal drugs seized in Laos and Thailand were bound for the Philippines, saying there was no evidence yet confirming Manila was the intended destination.

PNP Public Information Office chief PCol. Allen Rae Co said authorities were coordinating with foreign counterparts to establish the actual destination of the seized drugs, as well as determine whether any Filipinos were involved.

“It’s too early to conclude. It’s premature pa na sabihin natin,” Co said, stressing that the claims have yet to be supported by evidence.

Co said initial information indicated that a Malaysian-owned private jet had landed in Laos, where the drugs were allegedly loaded for transport to the Philippines.

However, authorities have yet to receive documents or other evidence establishing that the shipment was indeed headed for Manila.

“Initial information na na-receive rin natin ay Malaysian-owned plane, private jet and sa Laos lumapag, and then doon daw kinarga at papunta raw dito sa atin,” Co said. 

“That is their claim, claim pa nila ‘yan. Wala pang hard evidence na binibigay sa atin,” he said, adding that investigators would examine flight plans, manifests and other relevant records to verify the alleged route and destination.

The PNP is also looking into reports of drugs seized in Thailand that were allegedly intended for the Philippines, including those reportedly transported by sea.

The PNP chief’s spokesman cautioned against immediately linking the country to the seized drugs simply because foreign authorities claimed the shipments were bound for the Philippines.

“These are all unconfirmed. Nahuli sa kanila, it’s so very easy to point fingers kung saan papunta. But we will have to look kung ano talaga ‘yung nakasulat sa manifest, nakasulat sa destination,” he said. 

Asked whether Filipinos could be involved, Co said this remained among the matters being investigated.

Co said the police continue to monitor suspected international drug syndicates, including possible attempts to use Philippine territory as a transshipment point or final destination for illegal drugs.

He cited previous incidents involving floating packages of suspected illegal drugs recovered at sea, as well as intelligence-driven operations that led to drug seizures at airports and seaports.

“Marami tayong nahuli na paparating dito. Hindi naman ‘yun tsambahan lang. Those were intelligence-driven operations na meron tayong nakukuhang mga impormasyon,” Co said. 

Co added that if the seized drugs were indeed intended for the Philippines, authorities are grateful that the shipments were intercepted before reaching the country.

However, he reiterated that the alleged Philippine destination remained unconfirmed.