During a high-profile congressional hearing, former Bureau of Customs (BOC) intelligence officer Jimmy Guban accused key members of the Duterte family of being involved in the smuggling of P6.8 billion worth of shabu in 2018. Guban, currently incarcerated, implicated Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte and lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, the husband of Vice President Sara Duterte, in the illicit drug trade.
Guban made these allegations during a House quad-committee hearing at the Bacolor Mini Convention Center in Pampanga. He appeared heavily guarded, wearing a bullet-proof vest and helmet, as he testified about the alleged involvement of the Duterte family members in the drug shipment. He also named Chinese national Michael Yang, a former economic adviser to ex-President Rodrigo Duterte, as a “big-time importer of drugs” who distributes drugs in the local market.
The former customs officer claimed that he was threatened during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation into the 2018 drug bust. According to Guban, journalist Paul Gutierrez warned him against mentioning the names of Pulong Duterte, Mans Carpio, and Michael Yang, allegedly saying, “Wag mong banggitin ang mga pangalang Pulong, Michael Yang, at Mans.”
Guban, who had initially tagged dismissed Philippine National Police (PNP) Colonel Eduardo Acierto in the drug shipment, stated that he did so out of fear for his life. However, he told the congressmen that he has since recanted his testimony and is now determined to seek “truth and justice.”
“I am no longer afraid to fight,” Guban declared, indicating his willingness to confront those he believes are responsible for the drug smuggling operation. His testimony has added a new layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation into the Duterte administration’s handling of illegal drugs and related issues.