Palace wants probe on ‘release’ of Chinese drug traffickers

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino yesterday ordered an investigation into reports that three convicted Chinese drug traffickers were snatched from the custody of jail guards in Cavite and set free by 14 men for a fee.

Malacañang decried the incident and vowed to spare no one liable for the incident.

“The directive of the President is to find out if there are really those with us (in government involved). What really happened? It’s fact-finding. You know the President... what he wants is, let us establish the facts and let’s see... who has accountability or culpability,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

Among the 14 men arrested by the police was a barangay chairman in Trece Martires City who claimed he was promised P150,000 to “rescue” Chinese convicts Li Lan Yan, alias Jackson Dy, his wife Wang Li Na and Li Tian Hu. 

The three remain at large, prompting an alert by the Bureau of Immigration and Philippine Coast Guard to prevent the convicts from leaving the country.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima had ordered an investigation into the escape of the three convicts last Wednesday, including possible liability of the jail guards.

Valte said De Lima had called all concerned agencies to a meeting to address the matter.

“Certainly, if we find anybody inside that is accountable, they will not be spared. We are not joking when it comes to those kinds of situation and I understand that Secretary De Lima will convey the same message to the people that she will be meeting because of the incident,” Valte said.  

The Calabarzon regional police, on the other hand, said they will file charges against the four men who helped in the escape of the three Chinese convicts.

Calabarzon regional police director Chief Superintendent Benito Estipona said charges of brigandage are being readied against Rodel Cambongga, Emiliano Quilicol, Rene Bersales and chairman Leovino Fontanilla of Barangay Bayan Luma of Trece Martires.

Estipona said a receipt from an LBC money transfer outlet in Imus, Cavite found in the Mitsubishi L-300 van used by the suspects and convicts in their getaway led the lawmen to Cambongga. – With Mike Frialde, Reinir Padua