House looking into anomalous transfer of pseudoepedrine

The House committee on illegal drugs is looking into the anomalous transfer of the P3.6 billion worth of seized pseudoephedrine, and the failure of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to file charges against those behind the smuggling of the drug precursor two years ago.

Ilocus Sur Rep. Roque Ablan said his committee is now in the process of conducting a congressional investigation into the matter. He said the ocular inspection that they have conducted last Thursday led to the discovery of the pseudoephedrine's transfer from its original containers.

In an interview over dyLA, Ablan stressed that they will ask PDEA officials to explain why the pseudoephedrine was transferred from oak barrels to at least 60 sacks before it was shipped to Manila from Cebu two years ago.

The lawmaker said he would also require PDEA officials to explain why until now no charges have been filed against those behind the smuggling.

Cebu City south district Rep. Antonio Cuenco, vice chairman of the committee, said he could not understand why the seized substance was transferred to sacks when it was more secured in its original containers.

PDEA consultant Paul Clarence Oaminal said the transfer, as far as he knows, was ordered by then PDEA director general Anselmo Avenido, who is now the chairman of the National Dangerous Drugs Board.

Oaminal said he was supposed to object to the transfer but he was told by then PDEA regional director Gaudencio Pagaling to keep his hands off to avoid the issue from being politicized because he was already a political candidate during the time.

Oaminal, who ran for councilor in Cebu City in the 2004 elections but lost, explained that as far as he could remember, Avenido's reason to transfer the pseudoephedrine was allegedly to use the original containers in a follow-up operation.

He stressed that PDEA officials from Manila said that they would place cornstarch and tracking device in the containers because it was possible that the shipment would be rescued.

Avenido, however, in an interview over dyLA, denied having ordered the transfer of the drug precursor from its original containers to sacks, saying that what he ordered was for its transfer from Cebu to Manila.

Avenido also explained that the reason why until now no charges have been filed against the smugglers was because the Australian and Chinese governments have not replied to their request. He said there are important documents that they need from China and Australia in order the charges to be filed.

But Cuenco said it is ridiculous that until now PDEA is still waiting for documents, adding that he would ask President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to step into matter.

Cuenco said PDEA officials should send a team to Australia and China to get the documents that they need.

He said he would also ask the President to look into the animosity between Avenido and PDEA director general Dionisio Santiago. "They are putting each other down. I think president Arroyo has to resolve it."

The rivalry between Santiago and Avenido is allegedly affecting the investigation of the case.

The pseudoephedrine was consigned to Coastside Ventures Incorporated, whose incorporators were three of the staff of then Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez. - Fred P. Languido/LPM