MANILA, Philippines —The Indian community in the Philippines defended businessman Manjinder Kumar, amid allegations linking him to the reported "leaked" Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) document linking some personalities to drug use.

Local Indian groups on Tuesday issued a manifesto attesting to Kumar's integrity, citing his contribution to the Filipino and Indian communities in the country.

These were the Guru Nanak Indian Sikh Temple in Dagupan; Radha Krishna Temple Inc. and Gurdwara Gur Shabad Parkash in Urdaneta, Pangasinan; Khalsa Diwan Inc. in Paco, Manila; Guru Teg Bahadur Indian Sikh Temple Inc. in Batangas City; Shri Guru Nanak Dev Sikh Temple Inc in Binan City, Laguna; Guru Nanak Sat Sai Baba Temple in Dasmarinas, Cavite; Sat Kartar Indian Sikh Temple in San Pablo City; and Gurudwara Jagat Sudhar Indian Sikh Temple in Santiago City.

"Mr. Kumar has been an integral part of our community, demonstrating dedication to philanthropy, ethical business practices, and community development," they said.

The Indian community called for a "fair and just resolution [of the controversy]." They raised the need to "protect those who dedicate their lives to the betterment of society."

"Character assassinations such as these not only harm the individuals targeted but also discourage others from engaging in philanthropic and community work," the groups said.

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, chairman of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, conducted a series of hearings on the claim of former PDEA agent Jonathan Morales about the "missing" document.

Morales claimed that the document supposedly showed that high profile individuals were being monitored for drug use, including then senator now President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and actress Maricel Soriano. PDEA officials, however, denied the existence of such a document.

Former National Police Commission agent Eric Santiago claimed that Kumar and a certain "Lam" were involved in the alleged leakage. But he later admitted fabricating the information to gain the Senate's attention and be invited to the hearing.

Kumar has denied any involvement in the issue. "I do not know former PDEA Agent Morales, nor was I aware of the issue he is involved in and the subject of the Senate inquiry. The claim itself is unbelievable, and any logical person would see the absurdity of the claim," he said.

Read The Rest at :