Court, PDEA serve forfeiture order for Sabalones assets

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) -7

officials and a sheriff of the court yesterday served the petition for civil forfeiture on the

assets of selfconfessed drug lord Franz Sabalones to

the Paulo Luna Resort and Spa in San Fernando and to the town's Municipal

Assessors.

PDEA-7 officers and a sheriff of Regional Trial Court Branch 8 handed the petition to Frank Sabalones, half-brother of Franz, as the owner was out of town when the petition was served.

According to Frank, the resort is still operating but has been affected by the issues Franz has been implicated in, adding that their company is losing since their clientele has gone down.

"Naa man gihapon mga mobisita sa resort, pero dili na sama sa una ka daghan kay naapektahan man sa kontrobersiya," he said.

"Losing gyud ang kompanya ug ako lang giayudahan tungod kay aduna may mga trabahante. Looy man sab sila," Frank added.

Frank assured that the resort is a safe place and that they are still accepting clients.

"Bukas gihapon ang maong resort nga modawat ug mga kliyente ug among gipaniguro nga luwas gihapon si bisan kinsa nga mobisita sa maong resort tungod kay 24 oras usab adunay security guard nga nagbantay," said Frank.

The recipients were given 20 days to file a verified comment regarding the petition.

PDEA-7 Director Yogi Filemon Ruiz said they are waiting to see what happens after the 20 days is over.

"Atong paaboton ang resulta sa 20 ka adlaw nga gihatag sa kampo sa mga Sabalones, aron tubagon ang mga kabtangan ug asset nga naangkon niini ug asa gikan," said Ruiz.

PDEA-7 already sent court orders to BDO Unibank Incorporated, Wealth Development Bank Corporation and also to the Registry of Deeds last Friday, after the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLA) found probable cause that Franz's assets worth more than P350 million are related to unlawful activities.

Executive Judge Gilbert Moises of Regional Trial Court Branch 18 has scheduled a summary hearing regarding the petition for August 29, 2:00 p.m.

If the court will approve the petition of civil forfeiture filed by AMLA, the P350 million in assets will be forfeited in favor of the government.

According to Ruiz, this petition only shows that they are not just after confiscating illegal drugs and arresting pushers but also going after the proceeds of the illegal drug trade.

"The priority right now sa PDEA under Director General Isidro Lapeña nga we hit them (drug personalities) on all sides. We fight drugs, sa demand reduction and supply, maong nag-barangay clearing operations ta. Nag supply reduction ta… Ug karon mao na ni atong gibuhat, ang assets preservation, para, with this, bisag unsaon pa ang ilang buhaton, these drug personalities diri sa Pilipinas, we will make the lives of these drug personalities harder, miserable," Ruiz said.

Ruiz said aside from Sabalones, they are also running after other bigtime drug personalities on their list.

"All I can say is dili lang ni mao pa. Naa pa ta'y musunod. So, bisan pag unsaon nimo pagjustify nga legitimate ang imong pagkakuha sa imong property but investigation by the government ma-prove nga gikan na siya sa illegal activity, for sure adto na padung sa gobyerno," said Ruiz.

Ruiz said that if the assets will be reverted back to the National Treasury, he will recommend for it to be used in anti-illegal drug operations and also for rehabilitation programs for the drug surrenderers.

On reports that the BDO office refused to receive the petition, Ruiz said he will send a report to PDEA main office, adding that it will be up to their headquarters to impose sanctions.