MANILA -- A Makati City court has ruled against revoking arrest warrants handed down against one of the accused in connection with a large-scale illegal drug manufacturing laboratory raided in 2016 which resulted in the seizure of over PHP100-million worth of shabu and ephedrine.
Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 63 Judge Selma Palacio Alaras, in an order dated Dec. 7, 2018, denied the motion to quash and prayer to recall the warrant of arrest issued against Xian Xian Wang.
Aside from Wang, likewise facing a criminal case of conspiracy to manufacture illegal drugs are former acting regional director of NBI-Central Mindanao Regional Office (NBI-CEMRO) Eric Isidoro, Pido Bonito, Paolo Uy and Jayson Gonzales.
Isidoro was implicated in the case since the laboratory in Virac, Catanduanes is on a lot owned by a certain Sarah Sarmiento and leased by Angelica Balmadrid, the common-law wife of Isidoro.
Wang, who remains at large, through his counsel said the information against him did not include a sufficient recital of facts.
Wang's motion also pointed out that the charge sheet failed to narrate his exact participation linking him to the conspiracy in operating a shabu laboratory.
The Makati court ruled that the case filed by the prosecutors "clearly and accurately alleges the essential elements of the crime charged against Wang, that is, attempt or conspiracy to manufacture any dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and essential chemical."
"There is no defect in the Information that would warrant any amendments thereto by the prosecution," the court added.
The court added that there is no need to recall the arrest warrant issued by Virac Judge Lelu P. Contreras.
"It is worthy to note that when the Warrant of Arrest was issued by Judge Lelu P. Contreras, she has personally determined through the supporting documents presented by the prosecution that there was probable cause to issue the subject warrant of arrest against accused Wang and there is no need to disturb the finding of an equally competent court," Alaras said.
The other arrested accused, Lorenzo Piñera II, will stand trial for cases of possession and manufacture of illegal drugs along with five other accused who are also still at large - the Uy, Gonzales, Paolo Palisoc, Phung Yuan Estorco and Sheng Wang.
Of the accused, only Isidoro and Piñera are in jail. (PNA)
