GORDON WELCOMES PALACE, DOJ EFFORTS TO HAVE ACIERTO ARRESTED

Senator Richard J. Gordon has welcomed the efforts exerted by Malacanang and the Department of Justice, in offering a P10-million bounty money, for the arrest of former police officer Eduardo Acierto, one of the accused in the billion pesos worth of shabu smuggled into the country through magnetic lifters.

Gordon, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, said the offer of a reward money shows that the administration is very serious in going after big people running the illegal drug syndicate here, who may be working for an international drug ring.

"Hindi mangyayari yan kung hindi malalaki. This is the first time, one of the few times, na talagang matindi ang banat ng Malacanang at ng Justice Department. Although there have been people arrested, pero ito may military, police involved. Dapat mahuli talaga sila. Mawawala ang accusation na puro maliliit lang ang napapatay o nahuhuli.Tama lang yun para ma-clear talaga kung sino nagsasabi ng totoo dahil ako walang duda na yung ginagawa ni Acierto ay smokescreen dahil wala naman siyang naipakita sa kin e. Acierto's arrest will clear the air or either help him clear his name. I guess the Palace and the Justice Secretary are both trying to catch a big fish because ang laki-laki ng pumasok na droga e. At saka very, very well-planned. They are very concerned that many more are coming in. I'm happy na gumagalaw sila, Di ba matagal ko ng sinasabi na hulihin sila. Yun ang recommendation sa min na hulihin na lahat sila," he said, adding that former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Deputy Director for Administration Ismael Fajardo, Jr. should be arrested too.

Gordon also urged Acierto's coddlers to surrender the former police officer, who was also behind the sale of 1,300 pieces of AK47s, because he is the key that could lead to the busting of big drug syndicates operating in the country. A religious group is said to have given sanctuary to Acierto.

"Kahi na sino humahawak, dapat ibigay nila yan para matapos dahil dapat malaman natin kung sino ang puno't dulo. Kung may colonel na ganyan na nagbenta ng 1,300 pieces na AK47, siseryosohin ko yan, tapos ngayon nainvolved sya dito sa drugs. Siseryosohin ko yan kasi drugs can supply the enemies of the state, like the NPA or the terrorists. Third, kung nag-aaccuse siya, dapat lumabas siya. Kung wala naman siyang dapat ikatakot, the truth will set him free. Hindi makakagalaw yan, hindi pagkakatiwalaan ng ganung kalaking halaga yan kung hindi niya naakausap who is behind that, And I think it is an international syndicate who has some local fish here," he said.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra confirmed that Malacang is offering a P10-million reward for any information that can lead to Acierto's arrest. He added the DOJ is not focused on the reward money because his agency's focus is on Acierto's coddlers and protectors.

Recently, a Manila court issued an arrest warrant against Acierto for his alleged involvement in the importation of shabu found inside several magnetic lifters. A hold departure order was also issued against Acierto to make sure he cannot leave the country.