Police colonel, 4 others cleared in shabu lab case

SAN FERNANDO, La Union – A three-man panel formed by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez has dismissed the complaints against Superintendent Dionicio Borromeo, former Dagupan City police chief, three junior police officers and a civilian in connection with the shabu laboratory busted in Naguilian town last July.

In a 15-page resolution last Wednesday, the panel said the complaints against Borromeo, PO3 Joey Abang, PO1 Rodolfo Damian Jr., PO2 Walter Banan and Eusebio Tangalin had “insufficient” evidence.

Comprising the panel were acting La Union prosecutors Florencio de la Cruz Jr., chairman, and Bernardo Parico and Diosdado Solidum Jr.

Only Joselito Artuz, alias George Cordero, of Marilao, Bulacan, was indicted in the case.

There was still no decision on the six supposed Chinese chemists who operated the shabu lab.

The panel recommended the filing of charges against Artuz for violation of Section 8 of Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act.

Borromeo, along with the three police officers, was tagged by Dante Palaganas, the shabu lab’s caretaker, as alleged protectors of the illegal facility.

Palaganas also implicated Artuz as the alleged financier and Eusebio Tangalin as the owner of the lot where the shabu lab was built in May 2007.

Authorities raided the shabu lab last July 9, seizing a huge volume of chemicals that could produce around P27 million worth of shabu, according to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency director general Dionisio Santiago.

Palaganas and fellow caretaker Andy Tangalin were charged before the Bauang regional trial court.

Some prosecutors who reviewed the decision observed that the resolution was incomplete and was not forwarded immediately to the regional prosecutor’s office here for automatic review.