Manila, April 23 -- The 74 individuals implicated in the major drug haul in Tondo, Manila in 2022 which yielded 990 kilos of "shabu" have been given until May 30 to answer the charges following the start of a formal preliminary investigation, a Department of Justice (DOJ) official said Tuesday.

Speaking during the Bagong Pilipinas news forum, Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez said 59 out of the 74 individuals charged by the police were personally present during the start of the preliminary investigation last April 19.

"Layon ng preliminary investigation na personal na iharap sa 74 na respondents ang mga reklamong inihain laban sa kanila. Binigyan sila ng hanggang May 30 para maghain ng counter-affidavit para sagutin ang mga kas...