SECURITY will be the primary consideration whether self-confessed Central Visayas drug lord Franz Sabalones will attend the proceedings to contest the Court of Appeals (CA)-issued freeze order on his assets amounting to some P76 million.
In a phone interview yesterday, Sabalones's lawyer Louie Arma said they will file an ex-parte motion to lift the freeze order.
Arma said they are still waiting for the official copy of the freeze order from the CA. After that, he said, they will identify which properties mentioned in the freeze order are owned by Sabalones.
In its order dated Jan. 19, the CA 8th Division ordered Sabalones's assets frozen for at least six months.
The CA resolution stated that it found probable cause that his bank accounts and properties are "related to an unlawful activity or money laundering as defined under Republic Act 9160," or the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 7 had asked the Anti-Money Laundering Council to put on hold Sabalones's wealth on suspicion that he laundered it.
Sabalones surrendered to Police Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa last year after President Rodrigo Duterte named his brother, San Fernando Vice Mayor Fralz Sabalones, a drug protector.
But Sabalones stopped his illegal drug trade after he surrendered to dela Rosa, said his lawyer.
Meanwhile, Arma dismissed reports that he may be held liable for obstruction of justice.
“It's still hypothetical because there is no forum yet where he (Sabalones) is asked to appear and where his appearance is mandatory,” said Arma.
“He (Sabalones) is free. I am not controlling him. I am just his counsel,” the lawyer added.
He said he offers only legal advice to his client and not any illegal act against the government.