Drug mule's suspected recruiter pleads not guilty

MANILA, Philippines -  The suspected recruiter of executed drug mule Sally Ordinario-Villanueva pleaded not guilty to drug charges before a Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) yesterday.

Tita Cacayan is facing a case for violating Section 5 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which pertains to the “sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution and transportation of dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals.” No bail was recommended. She could be sentenced to life imprisonment if convicted.

Her case stemmed from a criminal complaint filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in a case pertaining to victim Ronnie Abuyan, who said he was forced to swallow 43 capsules of cocaine.

The drug case was filed before the Manila RTC Branch 35, presided by Judge Ma. Bernardita Santos.

Cacayan is facing another criminal charge for “large-scale illegal recruitment” filed in an Isabela RTC, said a report quoting Prosecutor General Claro Arellano.

Cacayan was charged after she was identified by Jayson Ordinario, brother of Sally; Jennifer Leano; Abuyan; Melita Salazar-Sibayan (through her brother Lorenzo Salazar) and Basilisa Ordinario (on behalf of Sally) as the one who procured, referred and promised employment abroad to them.

The DOJ said Cacayan was the one who purchased a plane ticket for Jayson Ordinario while Basilisa said Cacayan offered her a job as a drug mule to South America.

Abuyan said he was not able to travel abroad because he refused to swallow 43 capsules containing high-grade cocaine despite Cacayan’s prodding.

Leano, meanwhile, said he was given a job in a car wash establishment in Malaysia but on arrival, was made to swallow capsules by Nigerians. He failed to do this and was sent back to the Philippines.

The DOJ also used as basis the statement made by Sally identifying Cacayan as her recruiter.

Cacayan, during an interview after the hearing, denied all the allegations against her, saying the complainants are talking about someone else.

Cacayan also claimed that Ronnie Abuyan had allegedly retracted and told her that she was not the one who recruited him and gave him the drugs.