A nephew of
one of Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte's inner circle was caught selling
drugs in a sting operation in the president's home city, the anti-narcotics
agency said on
Friday.
Friday.
John Paul
Dureza, the nephew of Duterte's political adviser and peace negotiator Jesus
Dureza, was caught selling 15 grams of "shabu" methamphetamine to an
undercover Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent in Davao City on
Thursday.
Jesus Dureza,
a childhood friend of Duterte who leads a troubled peace process with communist
rebels, said he was embarrassed by his nephew and praised the PDEA for showing
no favors to those with connections.
"I
commend the authorities for enforcing and applying the law without fear or favor,"
he said in a statement.
"That's
the way this no-nonsense drive of President Duterte should proceed."
Dureza's
nephew would be charged with possession of drugs and firearms and had long been
on the PDEA's radar, its regional chief, Adzar Albani, said.
The arrest
comes weeks after a scandal came to light that led to Duterte suspending all
police anti-drugs operations.
Rogue
anti-drugs officers were found to have been involved in the kidnapping and
killing of a South Korean businessman, inside the national police headquarters.
The PDEA is
now leading the anti-drug campaign and will be using troops for support during
raids in hostile situations.
Duterte is
also sending 200 police officers facing internal investigations to a troubled
southern island to fight Islamist militants.
REUTERS
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