Ex-BARMM parliament member ‘appears to be’ mastermind in Laos drug shipment – PDEA

MANILA – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) identified former Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliament member Sultan Edrieza Nasser Rimbang on Thursday as someone who “appears to be” the mastermind behind an illegal drug shipment intercepted in Laos, which was allegedly bound for the Philippines. 

Rimbang was previously named as the alleged financier of the operation involving 521 kilograms of shabu.

But during a preliminary briefing before the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, Nerez alleged that Rimbang planned the drug delivery.

“The investigation of this case is being conducted by a joint investigation team from PDEA and the Philippine National Police (PNP). So we are collaborating with each other in gathering more evidence to identify the other contacts of Sultan Rimbang who appears to be the mastermind,” Nerez told lawmakers.

Nerez continued, “So to make it clear, Rimbang appears not a mere financier, but the person who conceptualized, who planned for the delivery of those illegal drugs from Laos to the Philippines. So he was the one who made those plan, made suggestions to his conduits, his cohorts. And yes, he provided the needed financial requirement for the chartering of that flight.” 

According to Nerez, the PDEA and the PNP are building a case against Rimbang and the shipment’s alleged consignee, Abdulkarim Macalatas.

Nerez added that they have solid evidence proving the involvement of both individuals. 

Nerez noted, however, that they are still in need of some transaction documents.

“The affidavits are now ready. It establishes the connection of all these persons, and what is now lacking is the transaction document between the policewoman to the company of Toledo then the transaction document of the company of Toledo with the Malaysian company for the chartering of that airplane,” Nerez said. 

According to Nerez, the PDEA has a “pretty good lead” regarding Rimbang’s alleged connection to an international syndicate.

“The drugs is produced in a foreign country. And it is not natural that you can just order a quantity of drugs like that– 521 without a contact in a foreign land. So we are now– that is a challenge for PDEA. That is a challenge for other partners in the Philippines to establish a connection of this Rimbang with the international syndicate. And we have a pretty good lead on who are those persons,” Nerez said.

Some officials are also pushing for the establishment of a National Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force, including the House panel’s chairperson, Representative Mark Anthony Santos.

“Si Usec. Nerez, before this meeting, nag-accept na kami niyan na kailangan na i-create ‘yung National Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force, which is under the Executive Order No. 217 yata. So kailangan na po ‘yun kasi nakita po natin may mga lapses po doon sa mga coordination ng mga law enforcement agencies,” Santos said.

“PDEA will be the new agency para siya ‘yung magiging task force commander dito. Kasi kanina nakita natin, ang nagtutulungan ngayon regarding the Laos 521 kilos ay ang PDEA lang at ang PNP,” Santos added.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Dangerous Drugs Division Chief Ross Jonathan Galicia said they will likely request that the death penalty for the Filipino arrested in Laos be commuted to life imprisonment.

“It is a communist state where death penalty is imposed for drug trafficking. And consequently, whether we like it or not, we’re going to help this Filipino and presumably we’re going to ask that the death penalty be reduced to life imprisonment. So we have to look into our policy on our nationals arrested in a foreign country where death penalty is imposed. Second, we have to revisit our plan– or there’s a move for the reimposition of the death penalty,” Galicia said. 

The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Josie Dugay said the ASEAN extradition treaty may be invoked for the detained Filipino.

“We don’t have an extradition treaty with Laos, right?” ML party-list Representative Leila de Lima asked. 

Dugay replied, “Yes, your honor.”

“But we are–both the Philippines and the Laos are part of the ASEAN extradition treaty. So we can invoke the provisions of the ASEAN extradition treaty in terms of, for example, ‘yung Filipino detainee,” De Lima said. 

“Yes, your honor,” Dugay said.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) said it has begun coordinating with concerned agencies regarding the Laos drug shipment.

As for the illegal drugs intercepted in Thailand, Nerez said PDEA is ruling out the possibility that these were headed to the Philippines despite initial reports.

“We are ruling that out? The possibility of the Philippines being also the destination of that Thai VOI is being ruled out now officially by the PDEA?” De Lima asked.

Nerez replied, “For PDEA, we do not believe that the vessel will come to the Philippines because that vessel is in our target list– not only target list of PDEA, with the PNP, the AFP, Philippine Navy, and the Coast Guard, and the National Maritime Center is very much aware that once this vessel enters our jurisdiction, then yes.” (END)

CIDG urges alleged Laos drug shipment financier to appear | ABS-CBN News

The PNP-CIDG on Wednesday urged former BARMM parliament member Sultan Edrieza Nasser Rimbang to appear before investigators probing the shipment of illegal drug.