MANILA, Philippines — Las Piñas City Lone District Representative Mark Anthony Santos has emphasized the urgent need to amend current legislation to bolster the government’s efforts against international drug syndicates, pointing out critical legal gaps that complicate the prosecution of suspects linked to narcotics intercepted outside national borders.
Santos, who chairs the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, explained that individuals allegedly tied to a foiled attempt to smuggle ₱3.5 billion worth of crystal meth, or shabu, originating from Laos currently face limited legal liability due to the seizure occurring prior to entering Philippine territory.
“Ang pwede nating ikaso dito, kasi wala naman yung evidence dito, conspiracy lang ito,” Santos stated during a television interview.
To address these jurisdictional vulnerabilities, the lawmaker has filed the proposed Anti-Narco-Terrorism Act of 2026. The measure seeks to update both the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, aiming to prevent transnational drug networks from exploiting legal loopholes when contraband is intercepted overseas.
During a recent committee briefing, Santos noted that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has tagged former Bangsamoro parliament member Edrieza Hadji Nasser Rimbang—widely known as Sultan Rimbang—as the suspected mastermind behind the aborted delivery of 521 kilograms of shabu transported via a private jet.
“Na-identify nila yung mga players dito and sabi ng PDEA yun daw si Sultan Rimbang ang pinaka-mastermind,” he said.
Furthermore, Santos revealed that Fahad Mulok Dibarosan, the Filipino national apprehended in Laos in connection with the confiscated shipment, shares family ties with Rimbang by marriage.
“Yun kasing nahuli din sa Laos is parang bilas ni Sultan Rimbang. Yung asawa ni Rimbang at yung asawa ni Fajad magkapatid,” Santos added.
While PDEA prepares formal complaints against the implicated individuals, Rimbang has strongly refuted any participation in or financing of the illicit smuggling operation.
Santos announced that the House dangerous drugs panel will convene for another hearing on November 10, immediately following the resumption of congressional sessions.