UNGOLDEN SILENCE
THE House Quad Comm cited former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Wilkins Villanueva in contempt for allegedly refusing to answer questions from lawmakers during its inquiry into the alleged extrajuducial killings associated with former President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal war on drugs.
The committee, led by Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, approved a motion alleging that Villanueva violated Section 11(c) of the House Rules of Procedure Governing Inquiries in Aid of Legislation.
Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen “Caraps” Paduano filed the motion after Villanueva repeatedly denied involvement in the warrantless arrest of Jed Pilapil Sy, wife of suspected drug lord Allan Sy, following the 2004 raid on a shabu lab in Dumoy, Davao City.
Duterte’s former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang has been implicated in the Dumoy drug lab raid, which uncovered over 100 kilos of high-grade shabu worth P300 million — then considered the largest drug bust of its time.
However, Villanueva, who was PDEA regional director at the time, has repeatedly denied Yang’s involvement, stating that no evidence linked him to the drug lab at the time. Villanueva later became PDEA Director General during Duterte’s presidency.
“You are lying! You are not respecting this committee!” Paduano said during the hearing.
Villanueva denied the accusation, stating he did not recall arresting Sy but remembered her being questioned at the PDEA office following the Dumoy raid.
“Hindi ko po maalala na kinausap ko siya. Nasa opisina po siya ng PDEA,” Villanueva said, maintaining his position.
Paduano, dissatisfied with Villanueva’s response, pressed him again on whether he was lying.
Villanueva reiterated his denial, prompting Paduano to move for his contempt citation.
As a penalty, Villanueva was ordered detained at the House of Representatives detention facility until the hearings conclude.
However, Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop amended the motion, stipulating that the contempt and detention order would only take effect when the Quad Comm probe resumes on January 13 next year.
The mega-panel approved the amended motion, emphasizing that the deferment was made “in the spirit of Christmas.”
