De Lima orders NBI
By JEAMMA E. SABATE and MADEL R. SABATER
February 17, 2011, 6:37pm
MANILA, Philippines – Justice Secretary Leila de Lima directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to go after illegal recruiters and drug syndicates who use Filipinos as ‘drug mules’ in the wake of what appears to be a futile effort to save three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from death in China.
De Lima directed the NBI to investigate and look for the alleged recruiter of Sally Ordinario Villanueva as well as to crack down on other illegal recruiters and drug syndicates responsible for making OFWs drug mules and couriers.
“That is an expressed instruction from the President (Benigno Aquino III) – to go after and arrest illegal recruiters and members of the drug syndicates that are using our OFWs who ended up being arrested in other countries, or even here – the latest of which was the arrest of a woman by the NBI (in Manila),” she told reporters in an ambush interview.
De Lima said she issued an urgent directive to NBI Director Magtanggol Gatdula to crack down on illegal recruiters and drug syndicates to prevent the recurrence of a case similar to that of Villanueva.
As De Lima issued the order, reports said that the NBI has already arrested the suspected recruiter of Villanueva.
Tita Cacayan was picked up by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) at 4 a.m. Thursday in her house in Barangay Rizal, Alicia, Isabela.
Special Investigator IV Cecilio Zamora, NBI spokesman, said Cacayan was tagged by Jason Ordinario as the one who recruited his sister Sally Ordinario Villanueva.
“Tinuturo siya ni Jason. But probe is still ongoing. Antay pa kami ibang complainants to point her,” said Zamora who appealed to other victims of illegal recruitment to appear at NBI and file a complaint.
Zamora said Cacayan voluntarily went with the NBI agents who invited her for questioning.
The NBI said Cacayan is believed to be a member of the West African Drugs Syndicate (WADS).
Meanwhile, De Lima said the three convicted Filipinos in China raised defenses, excuses, or their own version of what happened but other countries have their own legal system.
The Justice Secretary said it is presumed that the cases of the convicted Filipinos had gone through the legal process in China and the convicts were presumed to have been afforded due process.
De Lima said it would be too late for the government to pursue its efforts to save the Filipinos if their cases had gone through the legal process and afforded with due process.
In fact, China has rejected the Philippines’ bid to send Vice President Jejomar C. Binay as emissary to negotiate with the Chinese government concerning the dommed Filipinos.
Speaking to Malacañang reporters Thursday, Binay said he received news from the Philippine embassy in Beijing, through Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos Jr., that the Chinese government had said that “the time is not appropriate” for him to go to China.
With this development, De Lima stressed that the government has to shift its course of action to implement preventive measures by running after the drug syndicates and illegal recruiters.
“We’re pressed for time kaya nga we already directed the NBI and other law enforcement agencies. kasi kung makakatulong yun, gagawin yun,” she said.
Binay was prepared to leave for China as the country’s emissary to save the lives of three Filipinos who will be executed next week until he received the communication.
He, however, said there is still reason to remain optimistic, adding that prayer is a powerful resort.
“Miracles can happen. This is an instance when we ask for miracles to happen,” Binay said. “Let’s not say that it’s over.”
Ties remain strong
Despite the conviction of the three Filipinos, the Chinese embassy in Manila stated that China's bilateral relationship with the Philippines will remain unchanged.
“As we all know our bilateral relationship have already gone through big tests in the past," Ethan Y. Sun, Chinese embassy Deputy Chief of Political Section and Spokesperson, told Manila Bulletin in a text message Thursday. “It proved to be strong. I am convinced it will pass the test the same way."
Sun issued this declaration in reaction to President Benigno S. Aquino III's earlier statement that the case of the three Filipinos, one male and two females, will test the “improved bilateral relations” of China and the Philippines.
“China will, as always, be committed to developing strategic and cooperative relationship with the Philippines,” the Chinese embassy spokesperson pointed out. “This position remains unchanged.” (With a report from Roy C. Mabasa)
