INQUIRER Global Nation

POLICE are hunting down the man who is accused by his nephew of abducting him over a soured drug deal.

Cebu Provincial Police Chief Jesus Gaquing said they were still investigating the background of Marino Lawis and his alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

In the meantime, Talisay Police Investigator Paul Vincent Dorado said Lawis had not returned to his rented house.

On Tuesday, Joel Rhey Basa, filed illegal detention charges against his uncle at the Talisay City Prosecutor's Office.

Basa claimed he was abducted on Sunday night and brought to the rented apartment of Lawis in Talisay City where he was hogtied and allegedly hit with a baseball bat.

The police rescued Basa in the evening after he managed to shout for help when his uncle and his companions left the house.

Basa claimed his uncle abducted him because he allegedly failed to remit drug money worth at least P40,000.

But Randy Pedroso, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA-7) director, said it was the first time that he heard of Lawis name.

He, however, said that based on Basay’s allegation, one could conclude that Lawis was a big-time drug supplier. But he added they were still verifying Basay's claims./CORRESPONDENT FE MARIE D. DUMABOC