Ombudsman creates fact-finding panel to probe P6.4-B shabu shipment

Paolo Duterte and Mans Carpio attend the Sept. 7, 2017 blue ribbon committee hearing into corruption in the Bureau of Customs. /Meanne Corvera/Eagle News Service/

 

(Eagle News) — The Office of the Ombudsman has created a panel that will hold a fact-finding investigation into the P6.4-billion worth of shabu that entered the country in May via Customs express lanes.

The Ombudsman made the announcement in a brief statement released on Tuesday.

 

“The release (of the drugs) was allegedly facilitated by public officials who were identified as members of the ‘Davao Group’ by Customs broker Mark Ruben Taguba II,” the statement added.

The House of Representatives and the Senate held inquiries into the controversy that prompted several Customs officials, including then-Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, to resign.

Also invited during the hearings were Davao Vice Mayor and presidential son Paolo Duterte, and presidential son-in-law Mans Carpio, who were both linked to the so-called Davao Group by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

Criminal charges have also been filed against several individuals, including Faeldon and other Customs officials at that time.