MANILA, Philippines — Former Customs Commissioner and now Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Isidro Lapeña and several others have been ordered to answer a criminal complaint filed against them before the Department of Justice for the billions worth of shabu (chrystal meth) smuggled into the country in 2018 using magnetic lifters. ADVERTISEMENTThe complaints were filed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) who conducted separate investigation on the matter. NBI’s complaint was filed last Jan. 24 while PDEA filed the complaint on Aug. 29, 2018 and Dec. 13, 2018. They are also accused of violating Section 3(e) of RA 3019 and for obstruction of justice in violation of Presidential Decree No. Meanwhile, PDEA’s August 29, 2018 complaint accused Chan Yee Wah Albert, Zhang Quan, Vedasto Baraquel Jr., and Maria Lagrimas Catipan of possession of illegal drugs in violation of RA 9165.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer January 30, 2019 12:22 UTC