Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin 鈥擯PA POOL
MANILA, Philippines 鈥斅� The Palace stressed on Thursday that not one corner of the country will serve as 鈥渞efuge for the producers and distributors of these lethal substances,鈥� following the聽arrest of a suspected drug pusher inside the Malaca帽ang Complex itself.
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鈥淟et it be known: no corner of this land, no matter how remote or concealed, will serve as a refuge for the producers and distributors of these lethal substances. The full, unforgiving weight of the law will always descend upon them,鈥� said Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin in a statement.
It also commended the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Presidential Security Group, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and police for the apprehension of the suspect identified as Edgar Ventura, who goes by the alias 鈥淔ace.鈥�
鈥淲e call on law enforcement to relentlessly pursue the capture of his accomplices, who remain at large,鈥� the statement read.
鈥淢oreover, we ask for the full cooperation of all citizens in this ongoing investigation,鈥� it added.
Bersamin added that the operation signifies the 鈥渦nyielding resolve鈥� of the current administration toward eradicating illegal drugs in our country.
In a statement last October 22, the NBI said they received information about 鈥淔ace,鈥� a certain Francisco Soriano Jr., or 鈥淛untot,鈥� who are allegedly involved in selling methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, and keeping a drug den in San Miguel, Manila.
Authorities conducted an operation on October 16, which led to the arrest of 鈥淔ace.鈥� He was later brought to the NBI-Dangerous Drugs Board office for booking and processing.
Authorities also seized nine heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing white crystalline substances suspected to be illegal drugs.
鈥淭he seized drug items were submitted to the NBI-Forensic Chemistry Division for examination. The fifteen (15) individuals present inside the premises during the operation were also invited to DDD office for drug test,鈥� the NBI statement read.
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It added that 鈥淔ace鈥� will be presented for inquest proceedings for violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Meanwhile, 鈥淛untot,鈥� as well as other individuals who are at large will be charged with the same violation of law if聽 found positive for use of shabu.