6 in P6.4-B shabu shipment barred from leaving Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — A Manila court yesterday issued a hold departure order (HDO) against six Chinese and Taiwanese men linked to the smuggling of P6.4 billion worth of shabu from China last year.

Regional Trial Court Branch 46 Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa granted the motion of state prosecutors to bar Chinese nationals Richard Chen, Manny Li, Kenneth Dong, and Chen Rong Huan and Taiwanese citizens Chen I-Min and Jhu Ming Jyun from leaving the country because they are flight risks.

“Being Chinese and Taiwanese citizens, the probability of flight of the above-named accused are strong to escape prosecution, as well as to avoid facing their criminal liability and thus frustrate the ends of justice,” part of the prosecution’s motion read.

Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Ma. Antonette Bucasas-Mangrobang said the BI has uploaded the foreigners’ names in the BI’s HDO list and immigration officers are on alert to prevent any attempt from the six accused to leave the country.

Last Jan. 25, the Department of Justice filed charges of illegal drug importation and transportation against Customs broker Mark Taguba, EMT Trading owner Eirene Mae Tatad, Teejay Marcellana, and the six foreigners. – With Evelyn Macairan