Barbers to US: Tighten watch vs illegal drugs
SURIGAO del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers on Sunday asked the United States (US) Customs and Border Protection to further tighten its control over illegal substances that may elude detection and consequently find their way into countries outside its jurisdiction such as the Philippines.
Barbers, chair of the House committee on dangerous drugs, made the statement after the arrest of Juanito Jose Diaz Remulla III by members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in connection with the shipment intercepted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) allegedly containing P1.3 million worth of high-grade marijuana from the US.
He underscored the importance of US Customs and Border Protection’s stricter screening of shipments.
“Is the US Customs and Border Protection allowing exportation to countries like the Philippines of this (marijuana) illegal contraband? Iyan ang tanong na dapat sagutin,” Barbers said.
“We ask the U.S. government to institute measures that will strengthen its control over what comes out of its jurisdiction. Baka mayroong kapalpakan na nangyari sa US Customs and Border Protection kasi nakalabas ‘yan sa kanila,” Barbers said.
Remulla III was arrested for allegedly receiving parcels containing over P1 million worth of “kush,” or high-grade marijuana, shipped from a certain Benjamin Huffman of 1524 Hornblend Street in San Diego, California.
The said drug parcel was even shipped from California via what we call now as “snail mail,” or through the Central Mail Exchange Center of the Philippine Postal Corporation on September 27.
“We must remain vigilant here in the Philippines. As drug traffickers are being creative in ways to distribute illegal drugs, so must we respond with equal or more fervor in frustrating all their efforts for the sake of Filipino citizens here,” Barbers said.
