Remulla urges Congress to classify drug syndicates as terror networks after P3.5-B Laos shabu haul

MANILA — Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Monday urged Congress to classify drug syndicates as terrorist networks, saying this would strengthen intelligence-sharing and help authorities track the financial transactions of transnational drug trafficking groups.

In an interview on ANC’s Headstart, Remulla said the proposed classification would allow Philippine authorities to work more closely with international counterparts in dismantling drug syndicates following the seizure of 521 kilograms of suspected shabu worth around P3.5 billion in Laos earlier this month.

“As long as the Philippine Congress certifies that they’re a terrorist network by virtue of a resolution, then it opens us up to the international communities, intelligence sharing, especially with financial matters,” Remulla said.

“Makikita namin ‘yung bank-to-bank transactions ng lahat nila, and then it’s easier to clamp them down,” Remulla added. 

Laotian authorities seized the suspected shabu at Luang Prabang International Airport on Oct. 1, intercepting a private jet that was reportedly bound for the Philippines. A Filipino national identified as Fahad Mulok Dibarosan was arrested in connection with the shipment.

Philippine authorities have since identified 11 persons of interest in the case, including former Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament member Edriezan Hadji Nasser Rimbang, whom Remulla has identified as the alleged financier of the operation.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine National Police (PNP) and other agencies are coordinating with foreign counterparts to establish the extent of the alleged international conspiracy.

Remulla said intelligence agencies across Southeast Asia had shared information about two suspected drug shipments bound for the Philippines a week before the operation.

The intelligence-sharing led authorities to coordinate with Laos, where police stopped Dibarosan before the private plane could depart.

“Nung bumagsak si Fahad, nakita namin ng links lahat kung sino nag-procure ng eroplano, kung saan darating dito, kung sino ang consignee, kung sino nagbigay ng pera,” Remulla said.

Remulla also identified Filipino pilot Rioklyn Pizarras Toledo, known as “Boyet,” as the person who allegedly procured the aircraft in Malaysia for the planned flight from Laos to the Philippines.

The suspect earlier denied the allegations and maintained his innocence.

The DILG chief said authorities were investigating whether Toledo’s air ambulance service had previously been used to transport drugs into the country.

He alleged that one possible modus operandi involved was concealing drugs in coffins accompanying human remains, which could pass through airport checks using accompanying documents.

However, Remulla acknowledged that investigators were still examining the pilot’s previous flights and had yet to establish whether the suspected method had been used.

Toledo was in the Philippines and had been invited for questioning by police, Remulla said during the interview. He added that the Department of Justice would have to work with its foreign counterparts to develop the case and determine the appropriate charges.

As of writing, authorities had not filed charges against Toledo or Rimbang in connection with the shipment.

Remulla said the investigation had established links among the persons of interest but maintained that the DOJ was the appropriate agency to determine the next legal steps.

Remulla also disputed claims that illegal drugs had become more prevalent under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. compared with the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

He cited the price of shabu, saying it had increased from P3,500 per gram during Duterte’s presidency to P6,800 per gram at present.

“Shabu did not go down under Duterte’s time. Make no mistake about it. It did not go down,” Remulla said.

He said authorities had intercepted more than 17 tons of illegal drugs since 2024 through operations at sea, airports and ports, including the recent Laos shipment.

Remulla also attributed a decline in focused crimes to intensified anti-drug operations and changes in police practices.

He claimed that rape cases had dropped by 24 percent following restrictions on street drinking, while public trust in the police and people’s sense of safety had improved. 

Remulla also criticized the drug war under the previous administration, alleging that some police officers had manipulated drug operations to obtain rewards and promotions.

“The first syndicate na namin was the Mayo case doon sa Manila,” he said, referring to an alleged scheme involving a large stockpile of shabu.

“Kasi na-incentivize ang PNP na kumuha ng drugs at ikalap eh. Ikayayaman nila eh. Kaya ‘yung misconception na tumigil ang drugs upon the Duterte, it’s not true.”

He said the Marcos administration had been rebuilding the police force since 2022.

Remulla said authorities believed around 80 percent of illegal drugs entering the Philippines passed through Mindanao, including through roll-on/roll-off vessels and smaller ships that allegedly drop cargo at sea for collection.

“Eighty percent doon dumadaan talaga,” he said.

He added that the government was looking into measures to tighten monitoring of these routes, as well as improve airport security and the prosecution of drug cases.

Remulla said he personally supported reinstating the death penalty for major drug traffickers but acknowledged that doing so could affect the Philippines’ international cooperation with other countries, particularly in Europe.

Instead, he called for stricter laws governing the prosecution of drug cases, arguing that suspects frequently escaped conviction because of technicalities.

“We need to reform our laws about the prosecution of drug cases,” Remulla said.

He also urged Congress to consider the proposed terrorist-network classification for drug syndicates, saying it could help authorities trace funding sources and disrupt the financial operations of criminal groups.

The Laos shipment investigation remains ongoing, with Philippine authorities coordinating with their counterparts in Southeast Asia to determine the full extent of the alleged network.