MANILA— Three persons of interest have yet to appear before investigators in a probe into an alleged drug smuggling operation involving a shipment intercepted in Laos and reportedly bound for the Philippines, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Allen Rae Co said the individuals have not responded to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s (CIDG) call to provide their statements.

“Meron pa pong tatlo hindi nagpapakita,” Co said at a press conference.

“We will give you all the details and of course, lalo na kapag umabot na po tayo sa point where we have transmitted the case or we have filed the case ay doon po natin malalaman lahat ng lumabas po,” he added.

Co urged the three individuals to cooperate with authorities, warning that their failure to appear could prompt the filing of an indirect contempt case. Their identities were not disclosed.

The CIDG is gathering statements from persons of interest as the PNP and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) coordinate their investigation following a case conference between the two agencies.

Co said the agencies have divided their investigative responsibilities and are jointly pursuing criminal and financial investigations, with assistance from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

“The financial investigation, we have also asked the AMLC, so the AMLC was also there yesterday, and we are now in the process of evaluating all the evidence that we have compiled for the eventual joint transmittal of the case. It will be jointly transmitted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the PNP,” Co said during a briefing at Camp Crame.

Investigators are also awaiting the official transmission of case files from Laos and Malaysia as they assess the evidence for the joint transmittal of the case.

The PNP earlier issued subpoenas to 11 persons of interest in connection with the suspected smuggling operation.

Among those being investigated are former Bangsamoro Transition Authority parliament member Edrieza Nasser Rimbang, who is suspected of financing the operation, and pilot Rioklyn “Boyet” Toledo, who allegedly arranged the charter flight from Malaysia through Laos to the Philippines.

Authorities are also looking into the alleged involvement of Police Executive Master Sgt. Aileen Mendoza, who reportedly coordinated the shipment’s intended arrival in the Philippines, and Abdulahkarim Macalatas, the named consignee.

The allegations against the individuals remain under investigation.

Fahad Mulok Dibarosan, Rimbang’s brother-in-law, was reportedly arrested in Laos on Oct. 1 after authorities discovered illegal drugs in luggage allegedly intended for transport to the Philippines.

The PNP is investigating the movement of funds suspected of financing the shipment, while the CIDG is evaluating possible charges under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Authorities in Laos intercepted a shipment of illegal drugs aboard a private plane bound for the Philippines. The PNP has pegged the seized drugs at P3.5 billion, while investigators continue to coordinate with foreign authorities to obtain relevant case records.