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[av_heading heading=’Ombudsman to probe P6B shabu smuggling ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Wednesday, November 8, 2017
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MANILA – The Office of the Ombudsman ordered on Tuesday an investigation into the smuggling of P6.4 billion worth of shabu from China.
A special panel of fact-finding investigators was created to look into the Bureau of Customs for allegedly allowing the shipment to enter the country, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said in a statement.
In Office Order No. 765, the ombudsman said the panel should submit a report/recommendation within 90 days from receipt of committee reports from the House of Representatives.
“The order is in line with the President’s recent pronouncement for independent agencies to investigate the matter,” Carpio-Morales said.
The Ombudsman order noted the testimony of fixer Mark Taguba, particularly on the so-called “Davao Group” that allegedly facilitated the shipment of the more than 600 kilograms of the substance in exchange for “grease money.”
“The release of the shipment was allegedly facilitated by public officials who were identified as members of the ‘Davao Group’ by Customs [fixer] Mark Ruben Taguba II,” read part of the order.
Testifying before the Senate and House of Representatives, Taguba mentioned the names of President Rodrigo Duterte’s son and Davao City vice mayor Paolo Duterte and son-in-law Manases “Mans” Carpio.
Taguba claimed that his contacts “Tita Nannie,” “Jack” and “Small” mentioned Duterte to the Davao Group. But he later backtracked, saying he never met Paolo Duterte and Carpio, and apologized.
The drug shipment arrived at the Manila port on May 17 and released by Customs on May 23 to Hongfei Logistics, Inc.’s warehouse in Valenzuela City.
The National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency have filed separate criminal complaints against several personalities linked to the smuggling led by former Customs commissioner Nicanor Faeldon./PN
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