INTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Friday publicly identified the alleged financier behind the ₱3.5-billion shabu smuggling attempt from Laos as former Bangsamoro Parliament member Edriezan Hadji Nasser Rimbang.
Remulla made the disclosure during a Palace briefing, presenting a diagram outlining the network behind the planned shipment of 521 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride. “Sultan Edriezan Rimbang is believed to be the financier of the entire operation,” Remulla stated, noting that Rimbang is a former parliamentarian who lost his re‑election bid in the last polls.
Authorities have traced direct links between Rimbang and key figures in the plot. Remulla revealed that Rimbang is married to Princess Rohaniah Rimbang, the sister of the wife of “Fahad” — the Filipino national arrested in Laos when the private plane was intercepted.
Rimbang allegedly paid Police Master Sergeant Aileen Jane Manalo Mendoza to secure landing rights and the MAPTRA hangar where the aircraft was meant to deliver the cargo in late September. The flight, arranged by licensed pilot Rioklyn Toledo, alias “Boyet,” never actually entered Philippine airspace; the seizure occurred at Luang Prabang Airport.
PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. confirmed that Mendoza has been relieved from duty and placed under restrictive custody at the Aviation Security Group, while Rimbang is reportedly in the Philippines. At least 13 personalities have been identified as part of the broader network. Remulla clarified that Rimbang belongs to the same political party as former President Rodrigo Duterte, but emphasized this does not implicate the party itself — the naming counters speculation that figures from Manila were behind the scheme. No other politicians have been named as of yet.
Remulla also called on Congress to pass legislation designating major drug trafficking syndicates as terrorist organizations, explaining that such a classification would enable far‑reaching international law enforcement cooperation and freeze assets globally. Authorities continue to build the case and seek Rimbang’s response to the allegations.
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