MANILA – The Senate blue ribbon committee was set to recommend the filing of charges against police and Bureau of Customs officials allegedly involved in the smuggling of P6.8 billion worth of shabu into the country, Sen. Richard Gordon disclosed.
Charges to be filed will be for violation of the dangerous drugs and anti-graft laws, said Gordon, chairman of the committee that investigated the issue.
Among those facing charges are former Senior Superintendent Eduardo Acierto, former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency director general Ismael Fajardo Jr. and former Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service officer Jimmy Guban.
“Unang-una, violation ng dangerous drugs law, importation and transportation, nandiyan na lahat iyan,” Gordon said over dzBB radio. “Pati iyong Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, direct bribery, iyon ang mga principal violations nila.”
While considered a witness, Guban – who was earlier ordered arrested by President Rodrigo Duterte – was among those recommended charged since he has yet to speak up, Gordon said.
“Hanggang hindi siya nagsasalita, hindi siya maaaring maging state witness. Kapag tinanggap na siya bilang state witness at nagsalita siya, bahala ang Department of Justice sa kanya,” said the senator.
Isidro Lapeña, former Customs commissioner and now Technical Education and Skills Development Authority head, may also face liability for failing to observe command responsibility.
“Ang nangyari ay napasukan siya ng droga. Kaya under the doctrine of command responsibility, still siya ang in charge,” said Gordon. “Dapat managot nang konti o malaki dahil sa kanya dumaan, in his watch. Hindi niya sinundan iyong mga nangyari.”/PN
