Remulla, PDEA tag ex-Bangsamoro Parliament member, 10 others in shabu shipment from Laos

MANILA — A former member of the Bangsamoro Parliament is among the persons of interest in the 521-kilogram shabu shipment bound for the Philippines and intercepted in Laos earlier this month, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Friday.

Former BARMM parliament member Sultan Edrieza Nasser Rimbang is the financier of the chartered flight that would have carried the shabu haul to Manila, Remulla said in a Palace press conference. 

The person arrested with the illegal shipment in Laos was identified as Fahad Mulok Dibarosan, the husband of Rimbang’s sister-in-law, Remulla said.

Rimbang lost in the recent BARMM elections, Remulla said, noting that the said Mindanaoan official is part of the political party of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“They are from the same political party. This is to counter the narrative that people in Manila are involved,” Remulla said.

“May nagsabi na mataas na opisyal na nakaraming beses na dating na daw yang eroplanong yan sa Pilipinas. Never nag landing o nag take off yang eroplanong yan dito sa Pilipinas,” he said.

The group tapped Rioklyn “Boyet” Pizarras Toledo, a pilot, to “procure the aircraft from Malaysia,” he said.

“He is a licensed pilot from an airline. He has a reputation for drug dealing that is why he was fired,” the DILG chief said.

Toledo contacted and paid PEMS. Aileen Mendoza from the Aviation Security Group to “secure the MAPTRA hangar” where the private plane was supposed to deliver the illegal shipment, he added.

Meanwhile, a certain Abdulkarim Macalatas is the consignee who was supposed to receive the shipment in Manila, he said.

While authorities are still testing the shipment, Remulla said that it was “positively from the Golden Triangle,” a notorious global hub for illegal drugs along the borders of Myanmar, Thailand and Laos.

“We are not labeling any ethnicity, city or people. We are putting name to the face of who we suspect are persons of interest,” the DILG secretary said.

“This is based on facts, actual documents, extensive police work. Hindi ito hula, hindi ito akusasyon, hindi ito moro-moro… Nakuha itong impormasyon kasama yung mga counterparts natin sa Southeast Asia,” he said.

Authorities continue to investigate the scheme before filing appropriate charges against those allegedly tied to the controversial shipment, Remulla said.

“As of now, the only charge we can bring is conspiracy kasi walang actual transaction na nangyari,” he said.

“We are asking Congress now to pass a law to label narco traffickers as a terrorist organization,” he said.

Other individuals named in the DILG’s presentation in Malacañang included the following. 

• Abdullah Rimbang Macarimbang
• Aldren Nadal Samante
• Rudy Isidro
• Christian Fabrigas
• Rohaniah Rimbang
• Hilario “Larry” De Vera

Philippine National Police Chief P/Gen Jose Melencio Nartatez said “not less than 13 personalities” have been identified as part of the scheme.

ABS-CBN News is trying to reach out to the persons of interest named in the DILG report to get their comment on the issue.