PDEA files complaint vs Faeldon, 11 others over smuggled shabu

MANILA, Philippines – Former Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon and 11 others face a string of complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in connection with the P6.4 billion worth of smuggled shabu from China.

In a 23-page complaint, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) sought the indictment of Faeldon and 11 others for allegedly conspiring to import illegal drugs and protecting drug traffickers. (READ: TIMELINE: How P6.4-B worth of shabu was smuggled into PH from China)

Also named in the complaint were:

• BOC directors Milo Maestrecampo and Neil Anthony Estrella
• Intelligence officers Joel Pinawin and Oliver Valiente
• Manila International Container Port district collector lawyer Vincent Phillip Maronilla
• Lawyer Jeline Maree Magsuci
• BOC employees Alexandra Ventura, Randolph Cabansag, Dennis Maniego, Dennis Cabildo, and John Edillor

Aside from violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, the respondents are accused of obstruction of justice for “harboring or concealing, or facilitating the escape” of those behind the shabu shipment.

The PDEA also accused them of negligence and tolerance, as well as violation of the anti-graft and corrupt practices act.

“The said incompetence and corruption effectively shielded and facilitated the escape of Chen Ju Long and prevented his immediate arrest and prospective prosecution for the importation of the 602.279 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu,” the complaint read.

Also included in the complaint were the alleged importers and facilitators of the smuggled shabu:

• Chen Ju Long
• Chen Rong Juan
• Manny Li
• Kenneth Dong
• Mark Taguba II
• Teejay Marcellana
• Eirene May Tatad
• Emily Dee
• Chen I-Min
• Jhu Ming Jyun

The PDEA also sought the indictment of the directors and officers of Hong Fei Logistics Incorporated, the warehouse where the shabu shipment was seized:

• Genelita Arayan
• Dennis Nocom
• Zhang Hong
• Rene Palle
• Richard Rebistual
• Mary Rose Dela Cruz

Aside from the complaint filed by PDEA, the National Bureau of Investigation earlier filed a complaint for drug smuggling against the importers and brokers of the smuggled shabu.

The controversy has also been the subject of several congressional hearings.

On Monday, the Department of Justice started the preliminary investigation into the shabu shipment. – Rappler.com