AMLC sets sights on drug suspects

MANILA, Philippines - The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has started efforts to freeze and confiscate the bank deposits of three Chinese nationals who rented an apartment in San Juan City where law enforcers found 183 kilos of shabu.

AMLC officials are also coordinating closely with the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) in establishing the true identities of the suspects, following initial findings that they are using fictitious names.

In his letter dated March 8 to NCRPO chief Director Nicanor Bartolome, AMLC executive director Vicente Aquino said they are in “case build-up” mode in preparation for freezing of the bank accounts of the three Chinese suspects.

Aquino is asking the NCRPO for copies of the investigation report, the suspects’ photographs and profiles, the prosecutor’s resolution on the case, an inventory of the items seized from the suspects and other documents related to their arrest.

The three Chinese nationals were arrested during a drug bust in Paranaque City last Feb. 23 involving 8.5 kilos of shabu worth P42.5 million. They also yielded a silver Toyota Camry (XNZ-453) registered to Norma Cacho and a silver Toyota Fortuner (ZLU-663) registered to Jill Chan.

The three Chinese nationals gave their names as Long Zong, alias Sonny Long, 51; Tong Chan, 38, and Wai Leung Cheung, 41.

The three men led police to their rented apartment at the corner of Ortega and P. Guevarra streets in Barangay Addition Hills, San Juan City two days later, where 183 kilos of shabu were recovered in Long’s room.