MANILA – Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday accused a Chinese man of being behind a P1.8 billion shabu shipment which was seized by authorities at the Manila International Container Port last March.

In a privilege speech, Lacson said Fujian, China native Zhijian Xu alias "Jacky Co” was responsible for the shipment containing 276 kilograms of suspected shabu, wrapped in tea packaging.

According to Lacson, Co is said to be on the Interpol watch list and among China's wanted list.

Co was also involved in kidnapping activities, and is the owner of Feidatong International Logistics Company based in Bulacan, the senator added.

Lacson said he found it interesting that Co was in the Philippines during the time of the shipment of the illegal drugs to monitor the movement of the contraband.

“Even revolting is, in spite of his alleged involvement in criminal activities here and in China, he had left Manila via Philippine Airlines flight bound for Vietnam passing through Singapore on April 3, 2019, few days after the seizure of his shipment of drugs,” he said.

“Hindi na nga nagmadaling tumakas, kampante pang lumipad mula sa NAIA.”

(He was not even in a hurry. He left NAIA relaxed.)

Lacson said he was wondering how Co slipped past the scrutiny of the Bureau of Immigration.

“While we surely celebrate high impact operations, shenanigans embedded in the rotten system tend to overshadow our progress,” he said.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency director Aaron Aquino earlier said the consignee of the shipment was Wealth Lotus Empire Corp.

Aquino said the "Golden Triangle" drug syndicate was behind the illegal shipment.