PNP vows to stop PH from becoming drug transit hub

MANILA— The Philippine National Police vowed to prevent the Philippines from becoming a transshipment point for illegal drugs following reports that a drug shipments intercepted in Laos and in Thailand were supposedly bound for the country.

PNP Public Information Office chief PCol. Allen Rae Co said during a press briefing on Monday that the police “are doing all our due diligence” to prevent that from happening. 

Co said the PNP has been coordinating with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and with foreign counterparts to strengthen intelligence monitoring and prevent drug syndicates from using the Philippines as a transit route.

The PNP is also verifying the circumstances surrounding the anti-drug operation in Laos that involved a private jet that reportedly flew from Malaysia to Laos, with the Philippines as its next destination.

“We have already confirmed that one Filipino citizen was arrested [and] was the passenger in the chartered private jet,” Co said.

He said the passengers had tried to load illegal drugs onto the plane but that the crew had refused to allow it.

“[W]e’re still in the process of determining whether further police action is warranted under Philippine laws,” he added.

The PNP is also checking the aircraft’s flight records to establish its intended destination and identify possible local links to the alleged smuggling attempt.

Co said authorities would also review existing security protocols for private jets in coordination with the PDEA, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, customs officials, and airport authorities.

“If this is a new way of bringing in drugs into the country, alam na natin ngayon (we know about it now),” he said, adding intelligence gathering on criminal activities does not stop.

The PNP is also verifying reports of a separate drug seizure in Thailand.

Co said the PNP maintains a presence at airports through its Aviation Security Group but acknowledged the need to coordinate with airport authorities, which have their own security forces and procedures.

He added the PNP will hold a multi-agency review on protocols for private jets.

The police will also intensify intelligence monitoring and coordination with seaport and airport authorities, as well as regional counterparts, he said.