House Panel Summons Remulla, PDEA Chief Over Shabu Shipment

House Panel Summons Officials Over P3.5 Billion Laos Shabu Shipment

The Philippine House Committee on Dangerous Drugs has summoned Interior Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Isagani R. Nerez to investigate an attempted smuggling operation involving 521 kilograms of crystal meth, or shabu, valued at approximately P3.54 billion, BusinessWorld reported.

The seizure took place at Luang Prabang International Airport in Laos on October 1, 2026, when local authorities intercepted 23 pieces of luggage containing suspected illegal drugs Sunstar reported. The cargo, falsely declared as vape products, was scheduled for transport to Manila aboard a chartered Learjet 55B BusinessWorld reported.

Subpoenas And Persons Of Interest In The Drug Syndicate

The Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has issued 40 subpoenas in connection with the intercepted shipment, according to CIDG Director Major General Robert Alexander Morico II Inquirer. Out of those summoned, 11 individuals are classified as persons of interest Sunstar.

Interior Secretary Remulla identified former Bangsamoro Parliament member Edrieza Hadji Nasser Rimbang, also known as Sultan, as the alleged financier of the smuggling network Philippine Information Agency. Investigators stated that Rimbang allegedly paid P11.5 million initially, with P7 million allocated to charter the aircraft Sunstar.

Authorities also implicated Police Executive Master Sergeant Aileen Jayne Manalo Mendoza of the PNP Aviation Security Group. Mendoza allegedly scouted private airline companies and secured landing rights and hangar space at the MAPTRA hangar in Pasay City Philippine Information Agency. The PNP has relieved Mendoza from her post and placed her under restrictive custody Philippine Information Agency. Additional persons of interest include pilot Rioklyn Toledo, who allegedly arranged the flight from Malaysia to Laos, and Abdulkarim Macalatas, the designated Manila consignee Sunstar.

Remulla Questions Duterte Family Links to Drug Shipment

Interior Secretary Remulla stated that investigators found no evidence linking the Duterte family directly to the shabu shipment, though he noted that Rimbang has a history as a political ally of the family Philstar.com. Remulla questioned why Rimbang was omitted from former president Rodrigo Duterte’s official drug watchlist despite his alleged status as a drug financier Philstar.com.

Vice President Sara Duterte dismissed the government’s investigation as a politically motivated shift in narrative, arguing that officials are attempting to reframe ordinary political disputes as a national security conspiracy Philstar.com.

Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government is pushing for stricter cargo inspections on private aircraft to close security gaps Philippine Information Agency. Secretary Remulla confirmed that the intercepted aircraft never actually landed or took off in the Philippines Philippine Information Agency.

CIDG Finalizes Case to File Criminal Charges

The CIDG is finalizing its case build-up to file criminal charges under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 Sunstar. Investigators plan to submit their comprehensive findings, including closed-circuit television footage and gathered documents, to PNP Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. before turning the case over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Inquirer.