Eleven individuals, including a former member of the Bangsamoro Parliament, have been named as persons of interest in connection with the 521-kilogram shabu shipment bound for the Philippines that was intercepted in Laos, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced on Friday.
Speaking during a Malacañang briefing, Remulla stated that among the 11 individuals is former Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliament member Sultan Edrieza Nasser Rimbang, who belongs to the same political party in Mindanao as former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Remulla noted that Rimbang lost in the recent BARMM elections.
Remulla clarified that he is not connecting the former president to the drug interception.
“No, they are from the same political party but this is to counter the narrative people are developing that people from Manila are the ones involved in this kipper. This operation was between Sultan Edrieza Rimbang Nasser and his cohorts,” Remulla said when asked if any link was established between Rimbang and the Dutertes.
The other identified individuals are Fahad Mulok Dibarosan, who was arrested in Laos, Rioklyn “Boyet” Pizarras Toledo, Police Executive Master Sergeant Aileen Jayne Manalo Mendoza, Abdullah Rimbang Macarimbang, Aldren Nadal Samante, Rudy Isidro, Abdulkarim K. Macalatas, Christian Fabrigas, Rohaniah Rimbang, and Hilario “Larry” de Vera.
Remulla stated that Sultan Rimbang is suspected of financing the operation, while Toledo is a licensed pilot who was previously dismissed from a commercial airline over alleged involvement in illegal drug dealing.
Mendoza, who was assigned to the Aviation Security Group, allegedly arranged the hangar facility where the aircraft arriving from Laos was scheduled to land. Macalatas is identified as the alleged consignee designated to receive the contraband.
Philippine National Police Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez reported that “not less than 13 personalities” have been identified in relation to the operation, adding that more names could be included as the investigation advances.
Asked regarding the current status and location of the identified persons of interest, Nartatez stated that Mendoza has been relieved of her duties and placed under restrictive custody, while another individual has been brought in for questioning by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
Remulla noted that the intercepted substances are undergoing testing, but confirmed that “it’s positively from the Golden Triangle angle. These drugs came from there.” The Golden Triangle is recognized as a regional drug production zone covering the border region of Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos.
“We are not labeling any ethnicity, city or people. We are putting names to the face of who we suspect are persons of interest involved,” Remulla said.
Remulla stressed that the findings are supported by physical documentation, official records, and police intelligence work.
“Hindi ito hula, hindi ito akusasyon, hindi ito moro-moro. Ito talaga ang lumabas sa actual investigation between all the agencies involved here, kasama rin ang counterparts natin sa South East Asia,” Remulla also said.