There's one key question that must be answered regarding the arrest of Juanito Jose Diaz Remulla III for possession of P1.3 million worth of high-grade "kush" marijuana from the United States (US), according to Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers.
“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 (That's the question that must be answered),” Barbers said.
The veteran lawmaker is the long-time chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs; as such the nitty-gritty of the anti-illegal drug operation carried out by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is important to him.
Remulla was nabbed by PDEA operatives last week in connection with parcels intercepted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) allegedly containing P1.3 million worth of high-grade marijuana from US.
"Baka mayroong kapalpakan na nangyari sa US Customs and Border Protection kasi nakalabas 'yan sa kanila (There might have been failure at the level of the US Customs and Border Protection, which was the reason why the reason why the contraband got past them),” Barbers noted.
As such, the Mindanao solon asked the US government "to institute measures that will strengthen its control over what comes out of its jurisdiction".
Report said the marijuana received by Remulla at NAIA was shipped from a certain Benjamin Huffman of 1524 Hornblend Street in San Diego, California.
The parcel was even shipped from California via what we now call as “snail mail", or through the Central Mail Exchange Center of the Philippine Postal Corporation on Sept. 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.
Remulla, 38, is the eldest son of Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla, a former congressman.