MANILA — Malacañang has expressed puzzlement over the prompt response of Vice President Sara Duterte regarding an alleged drug smuggling incident involving a private jet from Laos to the Philippines.
During a Palace briefing on Tuesday, October 13, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro pointed out the unusual speed of Duterte’s commentary on the controversy compared to her silence on past drug operations.
”Medyo ito ay nakakapagtaka na sa lahat-lahat po nang nai-intercept na mga iligal na droga ay ito ang tanging … bukod tangi – kung mayroon akong maling nasabi, ako ay inyong ikorek – pero parang ito ang bukod-tanging napakabilis na mag-react ng Bise Presidente,” Castro said.
Castro highlighted recent significant drug seizures where the Vice President made no public remarks, including a ₱496.4-million shabu haul concealed in machinery intercepted by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on October 5, ₱43.7-million in drugs found in abandoned parcels on October 12, and a ₱20.7-million ketamine smuggling attempt on October 6.
”Wala rin po siyang naging tugon dito. Bukod tangi ang mga nasabat ng opisyales ng Thailand, Laos at nanggaling ang parcel at ang mga diumanong iligal na droga mula sa Laos,” Castro added.
Defending the current administration’s anti-illegal drug campaign, Castro emphasized that operations are conducted transparently and without any attempts to conceal information from the public.
”So, huwag maliitin ang ginagawa ng gobyerno dahil sa panahon po ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. lalung-lalo na ang BOC, PNP, PDEA marami na po ang nasabat na iligal na droga,” Castro said.
”At ito po ay lantad na isinasagawa at walang cover-up kaya mismo ang PDEA sinabi two days before na ito ay papunta ng Pilipinas particularly in Mindanao ay alam na po ng PDEA,” she continued, noting, “Walang nakakahiya sa ginagawa ng administrasyon.”
The issue stems from a statement released by Vice President Duterte on Sunday, October 11, where she expressed regret over the Philippines being linked to regional drug trafficking and admitted that the nation must intensify its anti-narcotics efforts.
”We also acknowledge the challenges our own country faces in addressing the illegal drug trade,” Duterte stated.
“We recognize the concerns surrounding the Philippines’ role in regional drug trafficking and express my deep regret that our country has become associated with this problem,” she added.