Duterte warns of shutting down J&T firm over alleged mishandling of cargoes

July 1, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to shut down the operation of a parcel company for alleged mishandling of packages.

Duterte ordered the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue to look into the the complaints and finances of the parcel company.

"I frequently received complaints. You better shape up but I'd like you to know that I am ordering now because the CIDG is listening and the NBI to investigate you and the BIR to look into your finances," he said in a televised message late Tuesday night.

He said the packages being coursed through J&T either got lost or changed.

"I'm not condemning you now. I am not also insinuating that you are liable or guilty of doing it. It would depend greatly on what is the result of the investigation," the President said.

"As a courier, a company registered as a courier, I would like to - because of the so many complaints but I will close you down. I will really close you down whether you like it or not after the CIDG and the NBI would finish their investigation and would point a liability in you," he warned.

Duterte also urged the people who have become victims of J&T to file complaints.

A video earlier went viral on social media showing some staff throwing packages inside a J&T Express delivery truck, as if they were garbage being thrown. The personnel also did not wear gloves and face masks.

J&T, in a statement earlier, said it does not tolerate such acts and behavior of its personnel as it assured the public it was just an isolated incident. Celerina Monte/DMS