Drug syndicate suspect still in RP, Aglipay says

Chief drug buster Deputy Director General Edgar Aglipay said yesterday he is sure that Benito Sy, the suspected leader of a busted transnational drug syndicate, is still in the country.

Aglipay said two crack teams from the Anti-Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AID-SOTF) have been dispatched to get Sy, who went into hiding after a shabu laboratory which he allegedly owned was discovered by police in Silang, Cavite last July 12.

"He (Sy) is still in the country. We are locating him, limiting his movements and eventually get him," he said.

Aglipay gave the assurance amid criticisms that AID-SOTF had been focusing too much on arrested transnational drug syndicate leader Jackson Dy, whose real name is Li Lan Yan. Critics claimed Sy’s case was ignored, allowing him to slip out of the country.

According to Aglipay, they are receiving tips daily on the possible whereabouts of Sy, known as Benito Sze in the Chinese community. His men have been religiously following them up.

"We have a number of good leads, but we can’t reveal them yet so as not to jeopardize ongoing follow-up operations," he said.

Aglipay said they would be discussing the possibility of offering reward money for information leading to Sy’s arrest.

"We have not offered any reward for his arrest as of yet. I will talk to Gen. Avenido about the matter," Aglipay said, referring to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Director General Anselmo Avenido.– Non Alquitran