Father says Boratong millions came from farm, not shabu

MANILA, Philippines - The father of an accused shabu flea market operator in Pasig told the court yesterday he financed his son’s businesses in Metro Manila with earnings from 16 hectares of farmland that he owns.

Defense lawyer Raymond Fortun said he presented as witness in court accused Amin Imam Boratong’s father, Hadji Ibrahim Daluma to prove that Boratong has millions of pesos from his businesses, not from a shabu “tiangge” as claimed by government witness, Samer Palao.

Lawyer Rafael Echaluse of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLAC) earlier claimed that Boratong amassed at least P900 million in cash and assets from his shabu “tiangge” in Sitio Mapayapa, Barangay Sto. Tomas, Pasig.

However, Boratong said the AMLAC had frozen only P19 million of his cash and assets.

The AMLAC had arrived at the P900 million figure by adding up his deposits in a bank since year 2001, he added.

Fortun declared in court: “I’m presenting Hadji Daluma as my 13th witness to impeach the testimony of Attorney Echaluse that my client’s wealth came from the shabu tiangge.”

Appearing before Judge Abraham Borreta of Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 154, Daluma said four hectares of the farmlands were his inheritance from his parents, while he acquired the remaining 12 hectares through sale or mortgage.

Fortun said he would present in the next hearing two other witnesses, Mando Punag and Jamael Rahim, who were involved in a lending business to show that Boratong borrowed from them his capital for his businesses.

Boratong himself would be Fortun’s 16th witness.

Government agents raided the shabu “tiangge” on Feb. 10, 2006. At least 300 people were arrested and the agents seized shabu and drug sniffing paraphernalia.  – Non Alquitran