Former NBI official linked to Catanduanes shabu lab surrenders

A former official of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) tagged in the "mega shabu laboratory" discovered in Virac, Catanduanes in 2016 has voluntarily surrendered.

Lawyer Augusto Eric Isidoro, former acting regional director of the NBI in Central Mindanao, surrendered to authorities on March 20.

Isidoro allegedly owns the lot where the shabu lab, said to be the biggest one discovered in the country so far, was built.

NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin said on Wednesday that Isidoro surrendered following the issuance of a warrant of arrest against him by a Virac regional trial court, and was immediately subjected to standard fingerprinting, booking, and photo procedure and to medical examination.

Isidoro is currently detained at the NBI's detention facility as the bureau waits for a commitment order from the lower court.

The NBI has also transmitted the return warrant of arrest to the court, said Lavin.

Isidoro faces charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act in connection with the massive shabu laboratory, which was discovered in November 2016.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has asked Supreme Court Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio to have the criminal cases in relation with the drug lab transferred to either a Quezon City or Makati court over the alleged impartiality of the judge handling the case. —ALG, GMA News