DILG wants tighter airport cargo checks

MANILA, Philippines — Security measures in the country’s airports have been tightened, and intelligence-driven operations against drug syndicates have intensified in the wake of a foiled shipment of 521 kilos of suspected shabu, valued at P3.5 billion, from Laos into the country.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said they are investigating potential lapses in security that could allow large quantities of illegal drugs to enter the country through airports.

“We have loose ends to tie up. We have to make more stringent inspections of all cargo arriving through private aircraft,” Remulla said in a statement.

He is pushing for tighter airport cargo checks after Laotian authorities intercepted the drug shipment.

Remulla identified former Bangsamoro Parliament member Edrieza Hadji Nasser Rimbang as the one who financed the operation to smuggle the drugs into the country.

Rimbang is among the 11 persons of interest (POI) named by Remulla in connection with the drug shipment.

The other POIs whom Remulla identified are Fahad Mulok Dibarosan, Rioklyn Pizarras Toledo, Police Master Sergeant Aileen Jayne Manalo Mendoza, Abdullah Rimbang Macarimbang, Aldren Nadal Samante, Rudy Isidro, Abdulkarim Macalatas, Christian Fabrigas, Rohaniah Rimbang and Hilario de Vera.

Remulla said the aircraft, intercepted at Luang Prabang International Airport in Northern Laos, was allegedly scheduled to land at a hangar in Pasay on the last week of September. It was allegedly arranged by Mendoza, a member of the police Aviation Security Group.

After she was implicated in drug smuggling, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. sacked Mendoza from her post and placed her under restrictive custody.

Stressing that police officers are bound to uphold the law and protect the public, Nartatez said they will never tolerate any personnel who are involved in illegal drugs and other nefarious activities.

“Should evidence establish the officer’s involvement in illegal drug activities, appropriate criminal and administrative proceedings will be pursued in accordance with the law,” he said in a statement.

Police units in Metro Manila, meanwhile, have intensified intelligence-driven operations against members of drug syndicates, including suppliers, distributors and networks.