THE son of former Bureau of Customs (BOC) commissioner Nicanor Faeldon was arrested in an anti-drug operation Friday morning, December 14, in Naga City.
Naga City Police Intelligence Chief Errol Garchitorena said the operation was conducted around 5 a.m. in Barangay Mabolo by virtue of a search warrant against the residence of suspected drug personality Rissel Lanuzo, alias Bubbles.
Nicanor Faeldon Jr., 32, boyfriend of Lanuzo’s daughter, was in the house during the raid, said Garchitorena.
“Reported po sa atin ito, itong bahay ay considered nating drugs den. Ibig sabihin, lahat ng nagpupunta rito (is) possible suspects,” he said.
(Based on reports, the house is considered a drug den. This means that all those who go there are considered possible suspects.)
Aside from Lanuzo and the younger Faeldon, also arrested were Allan Valdez, 44, and Manuel Nebres, 39.
Seized during the operation were seven sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu).
The younger Faeldon, however, denied involvement in illegal drug activities in the said house, where he and his girlfriend are living after they decided to transfer and study in Naga City.
“Sa kanila po talaga ‘yung bahay na ni-raid. Kanina ko lang nalaman ‘yung father niya, ‘yung involvement niya sa illegal drugs. Hindi rin po alam ng girlfriend ko ‘yun,” he said.
(The Lanuzos really own the house. I just found out about her father's involvement in illegal drugs after the raid. My girlfriend also has no idea about it.)
“Cleared po ako at ang girlfriend ko (sa illegal drugs). Kung sino po nakakakilala sa akin, alam po nilang ni mag-yosi hindi ko magawa,” he added.
(Me and my girlfriend are not involved in illegal drugs. Those who know me knew that I don't even smoke.)
Garchitorena, however, expressed doubt that the younger Faeldon has no knowledge about the illegal drug transaction in the house.
“Hindi niya makakailang malaki ang kinalaman niya sa nangyayari sa bahay (He can't deny that he has a big part in illegal drug transactions happening inside the house),” he said.
Faeldon will undergo a drug test.
“Hindi po siya papakawalan hangga’t hindi sinasabi ng korte. Yes, ikukulong siya (He will not be released without a court order. Yes, he will be detained),” Said Garchitorena.
The older Faeldon has been on hot water following the discovery of P6.4-billion worth of illegal drugs in a warehouse in Valenzuela City. The drugs slipped past the BOC inspection.
Faeldon Sr. was detained at the Senate over his refusal to attend the Senate hearing to shed light on the matter. He, however, was appointed Office of the Civil Defense deputy administrator for operations in December 22 by President Rodrigo Duterte. (SunStar Philippines)