PNP verifying info about Jacky Co in alleged shabu smuggling

The Philippine National Police is verifying information about Jacky Co, the Chinese national whom Senator Panfilo Lacson linked to the 276 kilos of suspected shabu seized at the Manila International Container Port in March, the spokesman said on Thursday.

"Sa kasalukuyan, tinitingnan natin 'yung record natin tungkol sa pagkakakilanlan ng taong ito. Kasalukuyan tayong nagbe-verify kung ano ang kaniyang background at ano ang meron tayo sa records natin," PNP spokesman Police Colonel Bernard Banac said in a press briefing.

In a privilege speech on Wednesday, Lacson said Co was the main person responsible for the seized shabu worth P1.8 billion last March 22.

He questioned how Co, whose real name is Zhijian Xu, was able to get in and out of the Philippines despite being on the Interpol watch-list.

"Co is said to be on the Interpol watch list and among the wanted personalities in China. Hindi lamang siya kasangkot sa kalakalan ng iligal na droga, bahagi rin siya ng isang malaking kidnapping syndicate dito sa Pilipinas na kumukubra ng ransom sa pamamagitan ng wire transfer at offshore banking,” Lacson said.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Immigration is also looking into Lacson's claim. —Anna Felicia Bajo/LBG, GMA News