Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director Isidro Lapeña filed a libel case against former Ninoy Aquino International Airport-Bureau of Customs Deputy Collector Lourdes Mangaoang for allegedly linking him to the smuggling of multi-billion worth of shabu that slipped out of the bureau.
Mangaoang accused Lapeña of hiding the truth and pretending to be unaware on X-ray scans showing that the emptied magnetic lifters seized in Cavite contained shabu.
The former Customs chief filed the complaint before the Taguig Regional Trial Court, saying Mangaoang had destroyed his reputation for unjust and unfair accusation over the importation of magnetic lifter that contained shabu.
The magnetic lifter was found at a Cavite warehouse already emptied with alleged illegal drugs.
Lapeña, who also headed the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency before being named as BOC chief and now TESDA head said Mangaoang’s accusations against him have no basis.
Mangaoang, who is a floating status at the BOC said she is ready to face the charges, saying the complaint was only meant to silence her.