Duterte son-in-law denies links to 'Davao Group'
Lawyer Manases "Mans" Carpio (center), husband of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte (second from left), and Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte (rightmost) are allegedly involved in the smuggling of shabu from China. Facebook/Vice Mayor Pulong Duterte, file
MANILA, Philippines — The husband of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio denied the accusation of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV that he is involved with the so-called Davao Group.
The senator claimed that lawyer Manases "Mans" Carpio visited the office of resigned Customs commissioner Nicanor Faeldon at least five times and his brother-in-law Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte.
"I represent many clients who have transactions with the Bureau of Customs. It is my job as a lawyer to appear before government agencies for and on behalf of my principals," Carpio said in a statement.
Trillanes claimed that Carpio and Paolo were the main personalities behind the Davao Group, which reportedly facilitated the smuggling at the Bureau of Customs.
The senator also accused the brothers-in-law of receiving "tara" or bribes.
Carpio, on the other hand, said that Trillanes was imputing malice in claiming that his appearance before the government agency was because of smuggling.
"He is just a desperate rumor monger who happens to be a Senator," Carpio said.
Davao City councilor Nilo "Small" Abellera Jr. had also denied accusations that he represented Paolo in facilitating the shipment of shabu from China.
"I have no knowledge, much less any participation in the so-called Davao Group if indeed any such group exists at all," Abellera said in his affidavit.
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