Ombudsman forms panel to probe P6.4-B shabu

MANILA, Philippines — Using its power to initiate probes on its own, the Office of the Ombudsman has created a panel to conduct a fact-finding investigation into the P6.4-billion shabu shipment from China that slipped past the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales wants to determine who should be held criminally and administratively liable for the anomaly.

The smuggling of illegal drugs was allegedly facilitated by members of the so-called Davao group identified by Customs broker Mark Taguba during congressional hearings.

Taguba claimed that he gave millions of pesos to the group for the release of the shipment on the belief that its members were working for Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and his brother-in-law Manases Carpio, husband of Mayor Sara Duterte.

The anti-graft agency said Morales initiated the probe in line with President Duterte’s recent pronouncement for independent agencies to investigate the drug shipment.

Ombudsman probers and prosecutors were ordered to come out with a recommendation following results of the legislative investigation.

If the panel finds probable cause against those allegedly involved in the drug shipment, including former Customs chief Nicanor Faeldon, a preliminary investigation will be conducted to give the respondents a chance to answer the accusations against them.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched an inquiry into the alleged shabu smuggling based on the criminal complaints filed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) last May.

The DOJ has started the investigation of Faeldon and 11 other officers of the BOC for alleged conspiracy to import illegal drugs and coddling of drug traffickers under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. 

The anti-narcotics agency also wants the respondents be held liable for obstruction of justice under Presidential Decree 1829 for allegedly harboring or facilitating the escape of the persons behind the shabu shipment.

Trillanes to submit evidence vs Paolo

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV said yesterday he would submit to the ombudsman evidence linking the Davao City vice mayor to the P6.4-billion shabu shipment from China.

Trillanes said he would present to the Office of the Ombudsman what he was not able to bring out during the hearings of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee into the anomaly.

““For reference purposes, we will be submitting authenticated documents,” Trillanes said. “I am confident that the ombudsman will not be a komite de abswelto just like the committee of Sen. Richard Gordon.”

It was Trillanes who sought the invitation of Duterte and Carpio to the hearings on the shabu shipment amid allegations that they were behind the Davao group, which facilitated the release of the contraband from the BOC.

Duterte and Carpio have denied any involvement in the drug shipment.

During a Senate hearing, Trillanes alleged that Duterte was a member of the Chinese triad and has a tattoo on his back as proof of membership.

Duterte also denied this allegation.

“The brains behind the shabu  importation was Paolo Duterte,” Trillanes said.

In a draft committee report prepared by Gordon, it was recommended that lifestyle checks be conducted on Duterte and Carpio. No administrative or criminal charges were recommended against them.

Trillanes refused to sign the committee report.

“I will impress on my colleagues that this was just a cover-up by Senator Gordon just to please his political master, Mr. Duterte,” he said.

Over 600 kilograms of shabu worth P6.4 billion from China managed to slip past the BOC and landed in a warehouse in Valenzuela City.  – With Marvin Sy