Ex-Bangsamoro lawmaker denies role in ₱3.5-B Laos drug shipment as PDEA names him alleged mastermind

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 23, 2026

Photo courtesy: DILG

MANILA, Philippines — Former Bangsamoro parliament member Sultan Edrieza Hadji Nasser Rimbang has denied involvement in the ₱3.5-billion drug shipment intercepted in Laos, a day after Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Isagani Nerez identified him as an alleged mastermind of the smuggling attempt.

In a social media statement on Friday, October 23, Rimbang rejected claims that he helped finance and organize the shipment of 521 kilograms of suspected shabu bound for the Philippines.

He claimed he was being implicated because of his ties to former President Rodrigo Duterte, who appointed him to the Bangsamoro parliament during his administration.

Rimbang insisted that his political affiliation had nothing to do with the case and maintained that he had committed no crime.

He also said the accusations had affected his family, claiming his children had stopped attending school out of fear and embarrassment.

Rimbang questioned why authorities had publicly linked him to the shipment when no criminal charges had been filed against him.

PDEA identifies Rimbang as alleged mastermind

Rimbang’s denial came after Nerez told lawmakers during an October 22 congressional hearing that investigators had gathered evidence pointing to his alleged involvement in the operation.

According to the PDEA chief, sworn statements from persons of interest suggested that Rimbang helped plan the shipment, coordinated with other individuals and provided funding to charter the aircraft.

Nerez said the findings indicated that Rimbang played a larger role than initially believed, when authorities identified him as the alleged financier.

He also named Abdulkarim Macalatas, whom investigators believe was supposed to receive and distribute the drugs upon their arrival in the Philippines.

Investigation into ₱3.5-billion shipment expands

The case began on October 1, when authorities in Laos intercepted a private aircraft at Luang Prabang International Airport carrying approximately 521 kilograms of suspected shabu valued at ₱3.54 billion.

The shipment was reportedly bound for the Philippines.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla had earlier identified Rimbang as the alleged financier and named other persons of interest suspected of helping arrange the flight and delivery.

The Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has since expanded its inquiry to determine how the shipment was organized and who else may have been involved.

As of October 21, investigators had issued around 40 subpoenas to individuals, businesses and government agencies that could provide information about the case.

Seven of the 11 persons of interest had appeared before investigators, while authorities were still seeking statements from Rimbang, Macalatas and others.

PDEA is also coordinating with other law enforcement agencies to trace those involved and determine whether the operation was connected to an international drug syndicate.

Filipino detained in Laos

Meanwhile, Filipino national Fahad Mulok Dibarosan remains detained in Laos in connection with the intercepted shipment.

During the congressional hearing, National Bureau of Investigation official Ross Jonathan Galicia said the Philippine government could seek a reduced sentence if Dibarosan faces the death penalty under Lao drug trafficking laws.

The Department of Foreign Affairs also said the Philippine Embassy in Vientiane was working to secure consular access to the detained Filipino.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to establish the roles of those allegedly involved in the shipment.

Rimbang continues to deny the accusations, and no criminal charges against him had been announced as of October 23.