Rody: P1 M for killing ‘#1 ecstasy supplier’

Government operatives involved in an operation that resulted in the death of an alleged party drug supplier to celebrities will get a cash reward from President Duterte.

The President has vowed to give at least P1 million to antidrug agents who launched an operation that targeted Steve Pasion, a suspected ecstasy supplier who was killed in Manila last Monday.

Duterte said Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Aaron Aquino informed him about the death of what he described as “the number one distributor of ecstasy” in a shootout with police.

“When it comes to drugs, I do not tolerate anything,” the President said during a campaign rally of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan in Isabela last Wednesday.

PDEA officials claimed its agents had to shoot Pasion because he tried to grab the gun of an anti-drug operative. The slain drug suspect reportedly supplied ecstasy to models and television personalities.

Duterte reiterated he would not allow policemen and soldiers who are performing their duties to land in jail.

“That’s the reason why policemen are now brave. Go ahead but do not commit abuses,” the President said.

“I told them ‘kill them if they put up a violent resistance.’ I will not abandon policemen who will face charges,” he added.

‘Big celebrity’

Aquino said the PDEA has established that a “big celebrity” is one of Pasion’s clients, citing recovered text exchanges that indicate the celebrity bought 200 ecstasy tablets from the slain businessman.

However, Aquino said in a radio interview that the text messages are not enough and they are still building up a case against the celebrity.

Aquino said Pasion’s name surfaced at least three times during their operations.

PDEA spokesman Derrick Carreon said in a television interview that the party drugs Pasion supplied came from the Netherlands and other parts of Europe, bought through the “dark web” and likely smuggled into the country through mail and courier services.