The Department of Justice (DOJ) has created an investigating panel to monitor the complaints filed against the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
According to Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento, the panel will be led by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Rassendell Rex Gingoyon along with Assistant State Prosecutors Mary Jane Sytat and Ethel Rhea Suril.
The group will handle all criminal complaints against the 2 agencies regarding the ₱1 billion worth of shabu shipment in 2019.
Malcontento disclosed that they will not conduct face-to-face preliminary investigation due to the pandemic. Instead, they will order the party to submit their pleadings.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed criminal cases against several PDEA and BOC personalities in 2019 including PDEA Director General Wilkins Villanueva, former PDEA Chief Aaron Aquino, and BOC Commissioner Rey Guerrero over the smuggling of 171 kg of shabu inside aluminum pallets. – Report from Kenneth Paciente
