DOJ probe sought on Taiwanese drug lord’s escape

Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III on Thursday said the escape of Taiwanese drug lord Frank Chua from the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) in 2004 warrants an investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ). “I think we should have an investigation on it because I think it was not given that much attention," he said at a new briefing. He feared that Chua, who was arrested on August 10, 1989 for possession of 58 kilograms of shabu, may have already fled the country following his escape seven years ago. Baraan said they are now looking into whether Philippine authorities are still hunting down Chua, whose real name is Tsai Jung Shui. “We are looking into that now. I inquired from our officials in the Bureau [of Corrections]. We’ll look into whether he is still being hunted," said the Justice official. Reports on Chua’s escape came out just as the Bureau of Corrections and the NBP are reeling from the controversy brought by the “unauthorized vacation" of convicted killer Antonio Leviste, a former Batangas governor. Leviste, 71, was arrested in Makati last week after he left the NBP compound without permission. BuCor and NBP officials are now in hot water over the controversy. — Sophie Dedace/KBK, GMA News