Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla on Monday said he will resign from his post if the interior and police establishments erred in their investigation into the foiled shipment of 521 kilos of shabu from Laos to the Philippines.
Remulla justified the implication of several personalities in the shipment, including former Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao parliament member Edrieza Nasser Rimbang, who is the alleged financier.
Also linked to the shipment were former commercial plane pilot Rioklyn Toledo and police Executive Master Sergeant Ailleen Mendoza.
Laotian authorities intercepted a private jet at Luang Prabang Airport last October 1 after the pilot refused to allow the loading of the illegal drugs onto the plane.
They seized the illegal drugs and promptly arrested a Filipino, identified as Fahad Mulok Dibarosan from Marawi City, along with 12 Malaysian and Singaporean nationals.
Remulla said the group’s operation was sophisticated, adding it was difficult to establish their specific involvement.
“This was a sophisticated operation and if some are saying we invented these (details), I dare you to challenge me on the facts of this case,” Remulla said.
“If we are wrong in the case buildup, I will resign tomorrow. We are that confident that we are on the direction when it comes to our investigation,” he also said.
Remulla said he is 100 percent sure that the people he and the PNP implicated are indeed involved in the foiled shipment.
On the whereabouts of Rimbang, Remulla noted that he is somewhere in Mindanao and has been invited for questioning.
Remulla was referring to the ongoing investigation being conducted by the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, which has summoned more than 21 individuals as part of the probe.
PNP spokesman Col. Allen Rae Co said: “The CIDG has already subpoenaed more than 21, not necessarily involved directly, but for them to be able to air their side and for them to exercise their right to be heard.”
Co said some of the 21 individuals have already appeared before the CIDG, though he did not name names.
Addressing others who have yet to appear before the CIDG, Co said: “Please cooperate and appear before the CIDG, again, for you to be able to exercise your right to be heard.”
Meanwhile, Remulla belied reports on social media that Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, a son of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., was the financier of the drug shipment.
“There was no grain of truth to it…There is no connection between Rimbang and the President’s son,” Remulla said.