Ex-NBI exec in Catanduanes shabu lab arraigned today

MANILA, Philippines — A former official of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) linked to a shabu laboratory in Catanduanes will be arraigned today at a Makati court.

The arraignment of Augusto Eric Isidoro, former chief of the NBI-Region 7, will be held at 1 p.m. at the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 62.

Isidoro is facing a case for violation of Republic Act 9165  or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act for his alleged involvement in a shabu laboratory, where at least P100 million worth of illegal drugs were seized late last year.

The hearing of the case was transferred from Virac to Makati in June upon the request of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The DOJ cited the supposed political connections of some of the accused in the province in seeking for the transfer.

Isidoro, who is detained at the Makati City Jail, is specifically facing a case of conspiracy to manufacture illegal drugs along with four other accused Xian Xian Wang, Pido Bonito, Paolo Uy and Jayson Uy, whom authorities have yet to arrest.

The other arrested accused, Lorenzo Piñera II, will stand trial for cases of possession and manufacture of illegal drugs along with five others – the Uys, Paolo Palisoc, Phung Yuan Estorco and Sheng Wang.

Of the accused, only Isidoro and Piñera have been arrested, according to Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera, chief of DOJ-Task Force on Illegal Drugs Cases.

Judge Selma Palacio-Alaras will hear the case against Isidoro and company.