Davao City Representative Paolo Duterte, former Bureau of Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, and Manases Carpio, the husband of Vice President Sara Duterte, are facing a complaint regarding the seizure of P6.4 billion worth of shabu in 2017.
Former Senator Antonio Trillanes filed the complaint-affidavit with the Department of Justice (DOJ), accusing the three and seven others of conspiring to smuggle 600 kilos of shabu. Trillanes based his complaint on the findings of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, which held hearings on the incident.
“I am deeply concerned and troubled by the government’s failure to prosecute the real culprits who have allowed illegal drugs to proliferate in our country,” Trillanes stated in his complaint.
The Dutertes have denied the accusations, calling them “harassment.” Rep. Duterte described the charges as “a welcome development,” asserting that the proper legal channels will help clarify the truth and clear his name. He criticized Trillanes for allegedly making baseless accusations in the past and expressed confidence in the judicial process.
Salvador Panelo, former chief presidential legal counsel, questioned the basis of the case, noting that the Senate panel did not find grounds to file charges against them. He accused Trillanes of filing “fake charges” against various individuals.
The complaint stems from a shabu shipment from China that arrived at the Manila International Container Port on May 17, 2017. The shipment was approved for release through the “Green Lane,” an express lane that bypasses further screening. Trillanes cited testimony from Customs broker Mark Ruben Taguba, who claimed that Duterte and Carpio, as members of the “Davao Group,” facilitated the clearance of the container by calling a Bureau of Customs collector.
Trillanes urged the DOJ to conduct a preliminary investigation and file charges under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against the respondents. He emphasized the importance of prosecuting those responsible for enabling the importation of large quantities of illegal drugs.
Explaining the timing of the complaint, Trillanes remarked that the judiciary is generally fair except in cases involving the Dutertes, where he alleges manipulation to protect their interests. He noted the absence of such manipulation recently as a reason for filing the complaint now.
