PDEA chief bares P20-M bribe, death threats for Ayala Alabang drug suspects' release

The head of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency exposed yesterday efforts to get drug suspects nabbed in last month’s buy-bust in Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa City off the hook.

PDEA director general Dionisio Santiago confirmed that some people close to one of the three “rich kids” arrested last Sept.20 have offered P20 million for his release.

He also said members of the team that arrested the three suspects have been receiving death threats through text messages.

Citing an intelligence report, Santiago said the families of Richard Brodett, Jorge Joseph, and Joseph Tecson are supposedly determined to exhaust all possible means to secure the release of the drug suspects.

“The amount being offered is either for cash bribe for PDEA officers or for ‘silencing’ those behind the arrest, according to the report we got,” a PDEA insider told The STAR.

The source said families of the drug suspects have been using their influence to “fix authorities.”

Because of such threats, Santiago said he told his men to take all necessary precautions. He added that they will not be deterred by bribes or threats and vowed to continue pursuing the case.

Santiago earlier admitted that some “influential personalities” called him up and tried to “discuss about the three (suspects).” But he said he did not respond to them.

Brodett and Joseph were arrested in a buy-bust operation at past midnight last Sept.20 in Ayala Alabang while Ramirez was arrested during a follow-up operation at around 4:30 a.m. near the Araneta Center South Gate in Quezon City.

All were caught in the act of selling illegal drugs to agents who posed as buyers.