DOJ clears Lee Peng Wee

The Department of Justice dismissed yesterday the smuggling charges filed against Lee Peng Wee, an alleged crony of former President Joseph Estrada.

The DOJ cited insufficient evidence in clearing Lee Peng Wee (aka Wee Peng Din), former presidential adviser for Mindanao economic affairs, and Corazon Motomal, former Customs officer-in-charge in Zamboanga City, of charges they smuggled in 39 drums of shabu chemicals in June last year.

Chief state prosecutor Jovencito Zuño approved the 16-page resolution of state prosecutor Misael Ladaga dismissing the complaint which Customs district collector Ma. Lourdes Mangaoang filed against Wee and Motomal last Jan. 4.

The DOJ, however, indicted five other respondents for violations of the Toxic and Hazardous Wastes Act. They are Ang Beng Ean, Sim Kwan Kean, Winfred Caoile, Nancy Lim and Gajar Munong.

Another respondent, Tan Ngee Foo, was placed under the witness protection program. — Delon Porcalla