Osmeña probe results out soon

CABIAO, Nueva Ecija — National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director Reynaldo Wycoco assured Cebu Vice Gov. John Gregory Osmeña that the results of the investigation into the multibillion-peso shipment of pseudoephedrine, a substance used in manufacturing shabu, seized in Cebu recently will be out "as soon as possible."

Osmeña, son of re-electionist Sen. John "Sonny" Osmeña, has been dragged into the controversy after three people working in his office were found to be allegedly involved in the shipment from China.

Osmeña, who is running for Cebu governor, personally went to the NBI office in Cebu the other day and requested that the bureau and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) expedite their probe.

"I’m sure that the results of the investigation will be out before the elections at the latest. The people of Cebu are very much aware of that case and we want to resolve it as soon as possible," Wycoco said.

Osmeña bewailed that he is in effect being tried by publicity given the media reports linking him to the controversy, depriving him of the chance to air his side and confront his accusers.

His lawyer, Edgar Gica, demanded to see documents directly linking Osmeña to the shipment.

NBI-Central Visayas director Reynaldo Esmeralda admitted that the bureau has no documents directly linking the vice governor to the seized pseudoephedrine.

Osmeña insisted that the whole thing is but a smear campaign. "It’s impossible to prove the negative. It’s being used by my political opponents to get a significant amount of mileage. This is strictly political," he said.

Wycoco said the NBI is taking extra caution in handling the investigation because of its political implications.

"We are trying to prevent this from becoming political. We don’t want to make any preemptive announcement pending the (results of the) investigation of the inter-agency panel," he said.

Wycoco assured Osmeña that Esmeralda is capable of handling the case. "He (Esmeralda) is a very capable guy. I trust his judgment," he said.

Wycoco said he appreciates Sen. Osmeña’s assurance that he would not interfere in the inquiry.

Two of Osmeña’s employees, Joebert Cuesta and Rowena Roldan, were listed as chief executive officer and president, respectively, of Coastside Ventures Inc., the shipment’s consignee.

Another staffer, Rorela Villegas, was said to have signed the lease contract for the use of the warehouse.

Meanwhile, Rene and Suzette de la Torre, said to be former incorporators of Coastside Ventures, have signed a joint affidavit at the NBI denying any current connections with the company. — With Freeman News Service