Palace: No corner of PH will serve as refuge for drug suspects

Malacañang on Thursday underscored that no corner of the Philippines would serve as refuge for producers and distributors of illegal drugs.

This as Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin lauded the National Bureau of Investigation, as well as the Presidential Security Command, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the local police, over the arrest of a suspected drug pusher and the confiscation of drug paraphernalia in San Miguel, Manila.

''This successful operation underscores the unyielding resolve of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. , and his administration, towards eradicating the plague of illegal drugs in our country,'' Bersamin said in a statement.

''Let 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,'' he added.

Bersamin said ''the full, unforgiving weight of the law will always descend'' upon drug pushers.

Bersamin, meanwhile, urged authorities to relentlessly pursue the capture of the arrested suspect's accomplices, who remain at large. He also asked for the full cooperation of the citizens in the ongoing investigation.

Bersamin issued the remark after the NBI arrested an individual who is suspected to be engaged in selling drugs, particularly shabu, and maintaining a drug den inside Malacañang Complex.

According to the NBI, operatives of the Dangerous Drugs Division (DDD) arrested Edgar Ventura, alias Face, during an operation on October 16 along San Miguel, Manila.

He was brought to NBI-DDD for the standard booking and arrest procedures.

Authorities seized nine plastic sachets containing white crystalline substance suspected to be illegal drugs as well as other drug paraphernalia.

The NBI said it conducted the operation after receiving information that Ventura and a certain Francisco Soriano Jr. were involved in the drug den.

The operation was conducted in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Presidential Security Command, and the local police.

Meanwhile, the NBI said that Ventura will be presented for inquest proceedings for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. — Anna Felicia Bajo and Joahna Lei Casilao/RSJ, GMA Integrated News