DOJ to probe complaints vs. BOC, PDEA execs, several others over 2019 shabu shipment

The Department of Justice (DOJ) will look into the complaints against officials and employees of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) over their alleged failure to detect a shabu shipment worth P1 billion in 2019.

On Wednesday, Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento said he would create a panel of prosecutors that will conduct a preliminary investigation into the complaints filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

A preliminary investigation aims to determine whether or not charges should be filed in court against certain individuals.

The NBI has charged Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero, PDEA Director General Wilkins Villanueva, former PDEA chief Aaron Aquino, and BOC Deputy Commissioner Raniel Ramiro with graft and violations of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Several other individuals were accused of violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

In a statement, the PDEA said Villanueva had nothing to do with the operation since he was still a regional director in 2019.

“Although the PDEA has yet to receive a copy of the NBI report, the agency is ready to answer every allegation. PDEA officials and agents who were implicated in the investigation are ready to clear their names in the proper forum,” the agency said.

Sought for comment, BOC's Guerrero said, “We are ready to answer the allegations in the complaint and we are certain that the investigation by the DOJ will reveal the truth that we were only performing our sworn duty.”

The PDEA and the BOC found the abandoned shipment of “tapioca starch” on March 5, 2019, prompting them to auction off the shipment in the hopes a drug syndicate would bid for it.

Aquino said Goldwin Commercial Warehouse submitted the highest bid on April 22, 2019. Authorities then seized the shipment from Goldwin’s Malabon City warehouse on May 22, 2019.

A total of 146 kilograms of shabu concealed in 114 bags of aluminum pallets were found in the shipment which originated from Cambodia. — RSJ, GMA News