Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Friday identified 11 “persons of interest“ in a foiled attempt to smuggle 521 kilograms of suspected shabu from Laos to the Philippines, including a former member of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliament.
In a press briefing, Remulla said the shipment was allegedly intended for Manila during the last week of September but was intercepted in Laos before the chartered private jet carrying the suspected illegal drugs could reach the Philippines.
“Para po sa kaalaman ng lahat, never nag-landing o nag-take off yung eroplanong 'yan dito sa Pilipinas. It would have been the first time at first attempt to land here in the Philippines,” Remulla said.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) chief said Edriezan Hadji Nasser Rimbang, who served in the Bangsamoro Parliament during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, was among those being investigated in connection with the shipment.
Rimbang lost his bid in the most recent election, according to Remulla.
“Edriezan Hadji Nasser Rimbang was a former member of parliament natalo siya nung huling eleksyon,” Remulla said.
Asked about Rimbang’s reported political ties to Duterte after a photograph showing the former lawmaker’s wife with the former president was presented, Remulla said they belonged to the same political party.
“They are from same political party but this is to counter the narrative that people are developing, that people from Manila are the one involved,” he said.
However, Remulla said the investigation was focused on the individuals allegedly involved in the attempted shipment, stressing that authorities were looking into the operation and its suspected financiers and associates.
“This operation was between Sultan Edriezan Rimbang Nazzen and his cohorts,” Remulla said.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) earlier said it was investigating the possible involvement of a Davao-based drug syndicate in the attempted smuggling of the 521-kilogram shipment aboard a chartered private jet in Laos.
Authorities are continuing to determine the extent of Rimbang’s alleged involvement, as well as the identities and roles of the other persons of interest.
No final determination of criminal liability has been announced in connection with the case.
