Desierto suspends ‘shabu mayor’

Ombudsman Aniano Desierto placed Panukulan, Quezon Ma—yor Ronnie Mitra under six-month preventive suspension yesterday after finding him administratively liable for transporting P1 billion worth of shabu.

Desierto also suspended two of Mitra’s aides, security escort Ruel Dequilla and driver Javier Morilla, who were arrested with him, along with Chinese national Willie Yang alias Yao Ming, while transporting the 503.6 kilos of shabu last Oct. 14.

The administrative sanction, Desierto said, was based on the administrative complaint filed by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina for grave misconduct and abuse of authority.

Desierto said there was a need for him to suspend Mitra and his two aides without pay because police caught them in the act of transporting the illegal drug, even using a government-issued ambulance.

State prosecutor Albert Fona—cier recommended the filing of drug trafficking charges against the four suspects. No bail was recommended for them.

The four were transporting the shabu on board two vehicles — a Hyundai Starex van with a commemorative "Mayor" plate and a municipal ambulance — when they were cornered in Barangay Kiloloran in Real, Quezon.

In his three-page resolution, which chief state prosecutor Jovencito Zuño approved, Fonacier said charges of violation of Republic Act 6425 (Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972), as amended by RA 7659 (Heinous Crimes Law), will be filed against the suspects in the Infanta, Quezon Regional Trial Court.