No charges to be recommended vs ex-Commissioner Lapeña – Gordon

No charges will be recommended against former Customs Bureau Commissioner Isidro Lapeña over the entry of billions worth of methamphetamines or shabu hidden in magnetic lifters, Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Senator Richard Gordon said on Monday.

“No, I don’t think he is involved,” Gordon emphasized.

Furthermore, the senator said he would end the committee hearings on the matter as there was enough evidence to make a recommendation.

In contrast, Gordon said charges would be recommended against former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Deputy Director Ismael Fajardo and dismissed Senior Supt. Eduardo Acierto.

“The invasion of the drugs in this country is very serious, especially because either lax or some peole in uniform ang involved like Acierto, Fajardo, and many others,” the senator explained.

“Napakadaling magpasok, kakausapin lang nila ilang tao. Hindi masusi ang imbestigasyon, dapat tindihan ang imbestigasyon at mabilis. Pag may nahuli sundan agad, huwag papetik-petik.”

Gordon added that the supposed lack of commitment of law enforcement agencies to arrest suspects also emboldened erring personnel.

“Lack of commitment to the job, that makes the criminal feels that it is easy to get away with it,” he said.

The next step for Gordon would be to discuss the Blue Ribbon’s recommendations with Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra.

“I hope [the DOJ] will look at it and make it a guide for filing of cases. Even before the committee report,  I will give them my notes,” he said. — DVM, GMA News