(Eagle News)–The Palace on Monday, Sept. 30, expressed support for Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon’s proposal to have the passport of Guia Gomez Castro cancelled.
In a press conference, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Drilon’s was a “good idea,” noting that Castro, who law enforcers said bought recycled illegal drugs from ninja policemen, had pending warrants of arrest.
Panelo said it was for the Department of Foreign Affairs, however, to ultimately decide.
In calling for the move against Castro, Drilon said she “does not intend to return to the country and face the warrants of arrest issued against her since 2002 for violation of Republic Act 6425 or the Dangerous Drugs Act,” and was therefore considered a fugitive.
“The jurisprudence clarifies that mere commission of a crime and subsequent flight thereto sufficiently meets the definition of a fugitive,” Drilon said.
He said under Republic Act 8239 or the Philippine Passport Act, the foreign affairs secretary is authorized to cancel a passport “in the interest of national security” or when the holder of the passport is a fugitive from justice.”
“Hence, the DFA, to avoid miscarriage of justice and by virtue of the Philippine Passport Act, can validly and lawfully cancel her passport so we can restrict Castro’s movement, and summon her back to the country to face charges against her,” he said.
