Roque on ‘shabu’ seized near Palace: No stone will be left unturned

FILE: Newly-appointed Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. (VALERIE ESCALERA/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

MANILA — No stones will be left unturned in investigating the case of reported PHP10 million worth of suspected shabu seized by drug enforcers at a condominium unit located near Malacanang, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Tuesday, November 7.

During his regular press briefing, Roque said Malacanang was alarmed by the incident and vowed to conduct a full investigation into the matter.

“No stone will be left unturned in investigating this particular instance,” he said. “We recognize that this is alarming that drugs were seized from a house very near Malacanang. And I assure you it will be investigated fully and that the perpetrators will be brought to justice,” he added.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents on Monday conducted a raid inside a condominium unit located along Gen. Solano Street in San Miguel, Manila — few meters away from Malacanang.

The condo was reportedly owned by Diane Yu, daughter of Taiwanese Yu Yuk Lai, who was convicted for selling drugs and has been detained at the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City. Found inside Yu’s condo were two kilos of suspected shabu amounting to PHP10 million.

Palace says government to sue people behind MRT mishap

Following several breakdowns of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) in previous days, Roque said the government is set to file criminal charges against individuals behind the mishap. In the same press briefing, Roque said the government already rescinded its contract with Busan Universal Rail Incorporated (BURI) due to its poor maintenance performance.

“Hindi lang po kinansela ang kontrata, pero ang naintindihan ko po ang DOTr (Department of Transportation) ay magsasampa rin ng kaso laban doon sa mga tao na naging dahilan kung bakit nagkaroon ng perwisyo ang ating mga mamamayan,” Roque said.

With this development, the Palace official said this indicates that the government is not numb to the needs of the public who use the MRT and LRT as means of transportation.

“Patunay po ‘yan na hindi na papayag ang Presidente na patuloy ang palpak na serbisyo na ibinibigay ng mga kontratista ng ating MRT at LRT,” he said. (PND)