QUEZON MAYOR CAUGHT WITH SHABU SACKED

The ombudsman has dismissed the mayor of Panukulan, Quezon, who was caught
transporting a large amount of shabu in October last year, Interior
Secretary Joey Lina announced Tuesday.

Ronnie Mitra was also disqualified from re-employment in government while
his benefits were forfeited and his eligibility canceled, Lina told a press
briefing, citing the Ombudsman ruling handed down on Jan. 25.

Also dismissed were his security aide Ruel Dequilla and driver Javier
Morilla, both government employees.

"This serves as a warning to local chief executives. This decision only
shows that narco-politics will not, and shall not, be allowed to reign in
this country," Lina told a hastily called press briefing at the national
police headquarters in Camp Crame.

With Mitra's dismissal, Vice Mayor Herminio Penamente takes over as mayor
of Panukulan, according to Lina.

The three, together with a Chinese national, were nabbed while transporting
503.68 kg of high-grade shabu or methamphetamine hydrochloride in Real,
Quezon, on Oct. 13 last year.

Following their arrest, they were placed under preventive suspension for
six months without pay. They are being tried for drug trafficking before a
regional trial court in Infanta, Quezon.

The justice department has petitioned the Supreme Court to transfer the
venue of the trial from Quezon to Quezon City. The High Court has yet to
decide on the petition.