Cuenco slams failure of drug body to conclude probe and file charges

Representative Antonio Cuenco recently assailed the failure of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to finish its investigation and file charges against those responsible in the smuggling of the P3.6 billion pseudoephedrine substance, seized over two years ago in Cebu.

PDEA has, to date, not finished its investigation yet and file charges in court against the people behind the shipment of the substance, which is a precursor of shabu.

"Ang PDEA gyud maoy mabasol nganong hangtud karon wa pay kaso nga na file," Cuenco said, adding that he would ask Rep. Roque Ablan, chairman of dangerous drugs panel, to subpoena former PDEA head Anselmo Avenido and current head Dionisio Santiago about the matter.

Cuenco said the issue should then be taken to President Gloria Arroyo, since PDEA is under the Office of the President, and would request the removal of these anti-drug officials if necessary.

Anselmo Avenido had explained that they have not found sufficient evidence yet to file the case in court against the incorporators of the Coastside Ventures Incorporated, the consignee of the drug shipment.

Avenido yesterday told DyLA radio that they are still waiting for the documents from Australia and China pertaining to the shipment for them to be able to complete its investigation and file the necessary charges.

Authorities from China and Australia have not furnished yet copies of the documents that PDEA had requested citing that these papers have been used in other cases pending in these countries. "Continuing pa ang atong investigation," Avenido said.

Cuenco however was not satisfied with Avenido's explanation about the documents from China and Australia.

Customs officials in Cebu, sometime in March 2004, intercepted 1740 kilos of pseudoephedrine that was shipped from China to a consignee named Coastside Ventures Incorporated. The shipment was intended for Australia, while Cebu was used only as transshipment point.

It was reported later on that the incorporators of the consignee-firm were employees of then Vice Governor John Gregory "John-John" Osmeña.

Securities and Exchange Commission documents showed that the incorporators were Joebert Cuesta (executive assistant of Osmeña), and Rorela Villegas and Maria Rowena Roldan who were also working at the vice governor's office then.

Despite these documents however, PDEA officials failed to file charges against these alleged incorporators because the latter had denied their involvement in the shipment.

In a related development, Cuenco said the pseudoephedrine would be inspected and re-examined this morning due to reports that the substance was stolen from PDEA evidence room in Manila. He said they will bring their own chemist to check if the substance there is still genuine.

Avenido for his part denied the evidences were stolen. "Ambot diin na maggikan balitaa, intact man gihapon ni dia sa evidence room sa PDEA," he said.

Cuenco suggested the immediate destruction of these evidences to prevent these from being stolen. He said a court order is not necessary, as contended by Avenido. - Fred P. Languido/RAE