SOLON REVEALS SHABU LAB IN GLORIA'S HOMETOWN

An investigation on the alleged presence of a huge "shabu" factory in
President Arroyo's hometown of Lubao, Pampanga, was sought yesterday on
reports that a culvert pipe factory in the town is being used as a front
for the manufacture of methamphetamine hydrochloride, shabu or "poor man's
cocaine."

According to Minority Leader Carlos Padilla, the factory, which is
reportedly owned by Alfredo Tiongco, is located in a heavily guarded
compound in San Jose Gumi in Lubao.

Tiongco had been the subject of a Senate probe a few years ago in
connection with his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

This, as Malacanang yesterday approved the plan of Department of Interior
and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jose Lina Jr. to make public the
names of big-time drug lords and their protectors in the illegal drug trade.

Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye, in a radio interview, said if Lina's
plan pushes through, the movement and operation of the drug lords will be
limited since they know the government has already identified them.

"Once their names are made public, I think the anti-drug campaign will be
more effective since the movement of these drug lords will be limited and
minimized," he added.

He said they have full trust and confidence that Lina would not recommend
such a plan if it will only violate the law.

"According to residents of the town, the factory has more guards than a
police detachment and the guards there have more high-powered guns than the
entire Lubao police force," Padilla noted.

He also alleged the factory has secret chambers which are off-limits to
workers and that foreigners are often seen working in the secret chambers.

"What is the big secret of this heavily guarded factory which is producing
concrete things that are impossible to steal? People do not steal concrete
pipes that weigh close to one ton," Padilla said.

Tiongco, who had allegedly been behind several drug-trafficking incidents
including the about 300 kilos of shabu that was found inside his yacht and
the reported shabu factory in his house along Talayan Avenue in Quezon
City, was able to fly to Hong Kong and evade the charges. With Sherwin C.
Olaes and Dennis Gasgonia