MANILA, Philippines — A Pasay City court has sentenced two Chinese to life imprisonment for importing approximately 240 kilograms of shabu into the Philippines, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 116 also ordered each accused to pay a ₱2 million fine for violating Section 4, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The Chinese were identified as Jason Tan Ang and James Ong Soiano.
The case stemmed from a shipment of workbench tables from Malaysia that arrived at the Philippine Skylander Incorporated International Cargo Terminal at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport complex in Pasay City in October 2020.
During an examination, Bureau of Customs (BOC) personnel discovered suspicious substances concealed in 12 plastic tea bags inside the shipment.
Laboratory examination later confirmed that the substance was methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, with a total weight of about 240 kilograms.
Acting on the BOC report and information from a consignee who was supposed to deliver the shipment to Cabanatuan City, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency conducted an entrapment operation.
The two Chinese were arrested after receiving the shipment containing the illegal drugs.
In its decision, the court found that the prosecution established beyond reasonable doubt the accused’s illegal importation of dangerous drugs and their conspiracy to commit the offense.
The court likewise upheld the integrity of the chain of custody of the seized drugs, ruling that the evidence presented by the DOJ was clear and convincing.
Justice Secretary Fredderick A. Vida welcomed the conviction, saying it sends a strong message that the Philippines will not tolerate the trafficking of illegal drugs.
“May this serve as a warning to the world that the Philippines is no haven for illegal drugs,” Vida said, stressing that under the Bagong Pilipinas era, the rule of law must prevail at all times.
