Former Narcom asset to testify in Senate

BACOLOD CITY — A former asset of the Narcotics Command (Narcom), whom former undercover agent Mary "Rosebud" Ong tagged as safekeeper of shabu and caretaker of kidnapping victims of a syndicate allegedly linked to former Philippine National Police chief, now Sen. Panfilo Lacson, is expected to testify in the Senate this week.

A military intelligence officer, who requested anonymity, said former Narcom asset Remus Garganera will testify against Lacson and other top police officials.

Garganera and his family have been placed under the custody of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) after Ong, in a radio interview here, named him as a possible witness.

Ong said Garganera, who hails from Sagay, Negros Occidental, used to work with Superintendent John Campos whom she has linked to the illegal drugs trade and kidnappings for ransom.

Initial ISAFP investigation showed that Garganera has personal knowledge of the alleged illegal activities of former Narcom chief Reynaldo Acop, Campos and Superintendent Francisco Villaroman.

The Senate committee on police matters will resume hearing the allegations against Lacson today. – Antonieta Lopez