Former PDEA chief Villanueva surrenders to quad comm

Former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) director general Wilkins Villanueva surrendered on Monday to the quad committee of the House of Representatives to serve his detention for contempt, which was issued by the committee last month, quad comm chairman and Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said yesterday.

- By JOSE RODEL CLAPANO

In a text message to The STAR, Barbers said Villanueva is currently detained at the House facility after reporting to the Office of House Sergeant at Arms Napoleon Taas on Jan. 13.

The order was issued last month following allegations that Villanueva lied under oath during the Dec. 12, 2024 hearing, Rep. Barbers said.

In the spirit of Christmas, however, the quad committee deferred the implementation of Villanueva's detention for contempt to Jan. 13, when the House resumed its regular session.

The contempt charge stemmed from Villanueva's testimony during the hearing, where he evaded questions about the warrantless arrest and subsequent imprisonment of Jed Pilapil Sy, the wife of suspected drug lord Allan Sy.

Mrs. Sy testified that she was arrested and forced to sign an affidavit by her lawyer - a waiver concerning her arrest without the benefit of a warrant - in their house in Dumoy, Davao City, in 2004.