Palace assures no whitewash in Faeldon son case

“We assure that there will be no whitewash on the ongoing investigation in adherence with the administration’s firm resolve to curb illegal drugs in the country,” Panelo said. (File Photo: Office of the Presidential Spokesperson/Facebook)

MANILA — Malacañang assured the public on Friday there will be no whitewash in the case involving the son of Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Nicanor Faeldon for alleged possession of illegal drugs.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo confirmed receiving a spot report from the Philippine National Police (PNP) regarding the arrest of Faeldon’s son, Nicanor Jr., but said the case will not affect the Duterte administration’s war against illegal drugs.

“We assure that there will be no whitewash on the ongoing investigation in adherence with the administration’s firm resolve to curb illegal drugs in the country,” Panelo said.

Panelo also commended Faeldon’s offer to resign from his post if allegations against his son are proven true.

“The Palace likewise comends BuCor chief Faeldon for taking a principled stand of distancing himself from the investigation, for letting the police authorities do the job of probing said incident,” Panelo said.

The older Faeldon has offered to take a leave of absence from his position while the investigation on his son’s case is ongoing.

Police anti-narcotics operatives arrested the younger Faeldon together with two alleged illegal drug pushers, in a suspected den in Barangay Mabolo, Naga City, Friday morning.

Supt. Errol Garchitorena Jr., chief of the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit in Camarines Sur, identified those arrested with Faeldon, Jr. as Russel Lanuzo alias Bubbles, 47, a businessman in Naga City; and Allan Valdez, 44, of Sampaloc, Manila.

Garchitorena said the police raiding team, armed with a search warrant, swooped down at the house of Lanuzo — which is suspected to be being used as a drug den — around 5 a.m.

The police team recovered seven plastic sachets containing suspected shabu during the raid.

A police report said the younger Faeldon is a student at the Ateneo de Naga University. The report also disclosed he is in a relationship with Sandra Mae, daughter of Lanuzo, who is said to be a big-time drug pusher operating in Naga City.

The suspects have undergone a drug test and are now detained at the Philippine National Police custodial facility in said city.

Charges of illegal drug possession and illegal drug den operation are now being prepared for filing in a local court here against them.