(Eagle News) — The high-ranking airport official whose name was dragged into the P6.4-billion drug shipment mess in a Senate hearing on Tuesday has gone on leave.
In a statement, Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Ed Monreal said assistant general manager for security and emergency concerns Allen Capuyan filed his leave of absence today.
Monreal said Capuyan, who met him upon his arrival from Clark, told him “he wants to focus his efforts in clearing his name” after he was implicated by confessed Customs “fixer” Mark Taguba.
Taguba told the Senate blue ribbon committee that he had been asked to contact a certain “Noel” and “Big Brother,” whose real name was a certain “General Capuyan.”
He said this was after his shipments failed to get through even after his payments.
The supposed general was later identified as Capuyan by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.
Taguba, who is facing charges over the shipment, said he was told there was an email containing tariff codes that needed to be used.
“I respect his decision so effective tomorrow, Aug. 23, I am designating an officer in charge to replace him during his absence,” Monreal said.