Customs broker alleges Duterte son and son-in-law part of Davao Group

August 31, 2017

Customs broker Mark Taguba alleged Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and his brother-in-law Manases Carpio were part of the Davao group said to be facilitating smuggling at the Bureau of Customs in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Thursday.

Taguba said when he went to Davao on January, a man named Jack picked him up to meet up with Davao councilor Nilo Abellera Jr.

"We went to Davao. Jack picked me up and he drove us to a restaurant and Small ( Abellera's nickname) is there. We talked, then I gave him P5 million then he told me he will just call me", Taguba said.

Taguba said a certain Nani Cabato instructed him in a text message to give P1 million as advance for a certain Jack in Davao and arrange a meeting with Small.

Taguba, citing Cabato's text message, should personally give P5 million to Small during their meeting.

Taguba said: "Jack called me that night saying that Pulong ( Vice Mayor Duterte's nickname) is hesitant according to Small because my father is the one who confessed the swings of  (former) commissioner (Angelito) Alvarez".

When Senator Antonio Trillanes IV asked Taguba if Pulong is the Davao city vice mayor, Taguba said: "They are saying Pulong is Paolo Duterte".  He said did not meet Pulong in person.

Taguba said he gave additional P2 million to Jack.

Abellera admitted he met with Jack and Taguba but he said he did not agree to introduce the customs broker to Vice Mayor Duterte.

"What he was saying that he saw me that's true except for the P5 million", Abellera said.

Abellera said he has no knowledge about the so-called Davao group.

In another text message with Cabato, Taguba said, "I haven't filed it yet. All I need for Tito Jack is for either P or Mans to call collector  Vincent Maronilla that we have go signal for our spl (special container)".

Taguba said, in a question from Trillanes, the person referred to as Mans is the husband of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

When asked if Carpio is a member of the Davao group, Taguba said :"That is what they said"

Trillanes submitted a motion before the committee to invite Vice Mayor Duterte and Carpio in the investigation. Senator Richard Gordo, the chairman of the blue ribbon committee denied the motion and said their connection is based on hearsay.

Gordon said his priority is to finish the temporary preliminary report on the shabu smuggling by Monday but he said Duterte and Carpio can be included in the final investigation. Alanna Ambi/DMS