PDEA identifies 27 drug rings

The newly created Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has identified 27 big drug syndicates operating in the country.

The PDEA listed these crime groups in a report it sent to the House oversight committee on illegal drugs, which is chaired by Rep. Antonio Cuenco (Lakas, Cebu).

Cuenco and his vice chairman, Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri (Lakas, Bukidnon), said they will seek progress reports from the PDEA and the police on the operations they conduct against these syndicates.

"We will continually check on what they are doing just to make sure that they are not forgetting the war against illegal drugs," said Cuenco.

The report also lists the more than 500 leaders and key members of the 27 major drug syndicates. While it indicates that many of those listed are in jail or have been arrested and are out on bail, most of the ring leaders and members are still "under surveillance" and that the proverbial long arm of the law still has to catch up with them.

The 27 big drug syndicates dealing mostly in shabu are:

• Benito Ong Tan group. Besides operating here, it is believed to be shipping shabu coming from China to Japan. Its leaders include two Japanese who are members of the yakuza.

• Wu Zhe Wei group, composed of three Chinese nationals. The report lists their passport numbers.

• William Chua/William Co group, whose leaders are also Chinese citizens.

• Chat Que group composed of Chinese and Filipino-Chinese.

• Ngo Lian Seng/Roger Sy group, believed to be selling drugs not only here but also in Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and the United States.

• George Go group, suspected of running a shabu laboratory in San Juan and selling drugs in first-class nightclubs.

• Zheng Chongquing/King Lee Ty group composed of Chinese and Filipino-Chinese. It is employing corrupt policemen as bodyguards and couriers.

• Peter Lim group. It is operating in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao City, Zamboanga City, and other parts of Mindanao.

• Parojinog group. It operates in Mindanao.

• Oliver Ong group. It also ships shabu to Japan and Taiwan.

• Henry Ong group. It is operating in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

• Swei Liu/Stephen Liu group. It runs a shabu factory in Cagayan province.

• Namanas group. It operates in Surigao and Agusan provinces.

• Bebot Taban group, operating in Metro Manila and Cebu.

• Junior Parena group. It operates in Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and other parts of Central Luzon.

• Andy Chan group, which is a member of a larger syndicate based in Fujian province in China.

• Lagayan group, headed by a police officer based in Ifugao. It is operating in Northern Luzon.

• Kim Cuadra group. It operates in Metro Manila and Cebu.

• Ochate/Kuratong Baleleng group. It operates in Mindanao.

• Marimar group. Its area of operations includes Metro Manila and big cities in Mindanao.

• Montaner group, which operates in Quezon City and other parts of Metro Manila.

• Sumiliano group, Aguilar/Calbayog group, Baculod group, Macarampat group, Agdepa/Icalia group, and the Marquez/Punzal group that is believed to be also transporting shabu to Guam.