Duterte clears Pampanga gov over 'mega shabu lab'

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday cleared Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda of negligence after an alleged shabu laboratory was discovered in her province.

Police last week discovered a supposed shabu laboratory near a piggery in Arayat, Pampanga which authorities say could produce up to 400 kilograms of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) in a day.

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Asked whether Pineda and other local executives would be held accountable, Duterte noted that the governor apologized “profusely” after the laboratory was discovered to have been built right under her nose.

“Sabi ko ma'am, ako sa Davao mayor tinamaan din ako ng laboratory. Andoon lang, lahat pinatay ko at nilagay ko sa highway,” Duterte said during a visit to the alleged shabu laboratory today.

“I cannot place a policeman every 300 square meters. Kulang ako, that’s why I raised the level to a national security threat, so I can call the military to help.”

Duterte noted that even in his own turf, Davao City, the chairman of the barangay whose jurisdiction includes his house was killed last week after being found to be involved in the illegal drug trade.

He said a secretary of a judge in Davao City was also killed in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley five days ago after he was accused of being an asset of drug syndicates.

'HINDI MO TALAGA SIYA MAKIKITA'

Pineda, for her part, said it is impossible for her to monitor all developments in every corner of her province.

"Hindi mo talaga siya makikita. Anlaki ng trabaho ko, malawak ang Pampanga. Andiyan 'yung barangay officials, andiyan 'yung mayor, 'yung vice mayor, 'yung Sangguniang Bayan members," she said. 

"Ako, nasa kapitolyo ako. Meron tayong kapulisan, meron tayong intel diyan, meron tayong mga PDEA. Ang ibig kong sabihin, itong trabaho na ito, itong mga shabu lab na ito, itong mga pasilidad na ito, lalo na 'yung mga barangay siguro, hindi nila alam kung anong ginagawa, ano ba 'yung shabu lab na 'yan," Pineda told ANC.

"Governor ako, pero sana alam din natin na hindi ito 'yung mga trabaho ko eh," Pineda also said, adding that she has already asked barangay officials to explain how the laboratory existed in the area.

Pineda also denied knowing the alleged owner of the property, Stanley Chua.

According to the governor, the local government received reports that the owners of the laboratory had girlfriends or wives from the area, which means that they planned on buying the property.

Pineda said an investigation has been launched to determine how the property was bought, since the owners are foreigners.

"'Iyun ang iimbestigahan namin ngayon, paanong nabili niya 'yung property eh bawal 'yun. Nag-establish sila doon. Hinahanap namin itong mga girlfriend nila, o asawa, hindi namin mahanap [We are probing how they were able to buy the property. We are looking for their girlfriends, wives but we couldn't find them]," Pineda explained.

source:abscbn