BOLINAO — The Pangasinan police sent a team to the resort and other properties owned by First District Rep. Jesus Celeste last week to inspect the premises if there were traces or presence of shabu in any part of the facilities.

The police clarified that the inspection, not a raid, was in response to the congressman’s request for a fast and thorough investigation of his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade in a bid to clear his name early.

P/Sr. Superintendent Ronald Lee, acting police director of Pangasinan, made this clarification to dispel media reports and rumors circulating in social media that the police conducted a raid.

P/Superintendent Marlon Canam, deputy police director for administration, headed the probe team composed of members of the Philippine National Police, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Regional Investigation Division, Crime Laboratory.

 

Rep. Celeste (with microphone) faces joint police and anti-narcotics operatives (PUNCHphoto by Tita Roces)

The team gathered water and soil samples around the resort, other houses and business establishments to check on possible presence of illegal drugs, among others.

Lee said soon as the results of the tests are known, a consolidated report will be submitted to the regional police office for further validation before forwarding it to Camp Crame headquarters.

He added that the team is only a part of the investigating body of which the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office is a member to probe Celeste’s properties. “So we did our part,” he added.

Mr. Celeste, one of the prominent politicians named by President Duterte last month allegedly involved in illegal drug activities. said he is grateful the government heeded his request for various agencies to subject him, including his properties, to a thorough investigation to establish the truth.

Celeste was joined by his brothers, Alaminos City Mayor Arthur Celeste, Bolinao Mayor Arnold Celeste and his vice mayor Alfonso Celeste in facing the probe team.

The siblings said, they, too, sent letters to various concerned agencies about their willingness to be investigated to finally put an end to the allegations perennially raised against them every election.

The Celeste brothers said they all voluntarily took drug tests last Wednesday.

“Maybe we should be thankful that once and for all, you will investigate us and to know the kind of family that we have,” Mayor Arthur Celeste, the spokesman of the family, told local newsmen.

The Alaminos mayor said, “I maintain our position that the root of this (accusation) is politics. Truth is with us. We affirm that that we are one with the government under President Duterte in our advocacy for peace and order, especially against illegal drugs.”

The Celestes’ belief that politics was behind the alleged drug link of the congressman was bolstered by Mr. Duterte’s admission three days ago that former President Fidel Ramos was the source of his information on the list of government personalities allegedly into illegal drug activities.

“Who is Nani Braganza to FVR? He is the most favorite nephew,” the mayor said. He also challenged Braganza to undergo drug tests, together with his two children, to prove who among those from the first district of Pangasinan, is into illegal drugs.

The Celeste brothers said from the time Braganza became their political enemy, their names have been repeatedly linked to illegal drugs every election period since 2001.

He said they have prepared all the documents pertaining to their ownership of the properties including taxes paid, statements of assets, liabilities and net worth for submission to the probe team.

The congressman said the drug issue raised against him has affected not only his family but also his work as he has to go to several concerned government agencies in his bid to clear his name. (Tita Roces)

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