Zubiri, Hontiveros admit links to ‘middleman’ in P6.4-B shabu shipment

Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday admitted knowing the alleged "fixer" tagged to the P6.4 billion worth of shabu shipment that slipped past the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Kenneth Dong was identified as the "middleman" for Richard Tan, the owner of Hongfei Logistics and alleged importer of the billion-peso shabu shipment from China to Manila.

On May 26, the Bureau of Customs raided Tan's warehouse in Valenzuela City and found the massive stock of shabu in five metal cylinders.

In separate statements, Zubiri and Hontiveros said they only knew Dong as a legitimate businessman and importer. However, both denied knowing about Dong's involvement in illegal drugs.

“I got to know Mr. Kenneth Dong when a friend introduced him to me several years ago. I was told that he is a legitimate businessman and an importer of Asuki industrial weighing scales," Zubiri said.

"I consider him a friend but I do not know what his dealings and businesses are except for his ownership of Asuki," he added.

Zubiri, one of the principal authors of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, claimed he had not seen his "friend" in the last eight months.

Meanwhile, Hontiveros said she had known Dong for five years since 2012.

"Gaya ng ilan sa kapwa ko senador, ang pagkakilala ko sa kanya ay isa siyang lehitimong negosyante na nasa pagbebenta ng industrial weighing scales," the neophyte senator said in the statement.

Other senators

Hontiveros admitted receiving campaign money from Dong, as well as financial assistance for relief operations during Typhoon Yolanda.

"Nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na tumulong siya sa aming Yolanda relief operations at sa kampanya," Hontiveros wrote.

Both Zubiri and Hontiveros were wedding sponsors at Dong's wedding in 2013, along with two other senators.

"He made me Ninong at his wedding and I was only one of many senators, politicians and celebrities who were asked to be principal sponsor," Zubiri said on his statement.

Hontiveros, meanwhile, said: "Noong 2013, ako, kasama ng mga kapwa ko senador gaya nina Senators Migz Zubiri, Kiko Pangilinan at Ralph Recto, ay naimbitahan mag-ninong at ninang sa kanyang kasal."

"Kaya't pare-pareho kaming nagulat [nang] mabanggit ang kanyang pangalan sa Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Hearing," she added.

Zubiri reiterated that Dong should be arrested if found guilty, even if he was his friend.

"Should there be any evidence of Mr. Dong’s involvement in the said illegal drug trade, he should be brought to the bar of justice," Zubiri said.

Hontiveros also urged the businessman to speak the truth throughout the Senate inquiry on the P6.4-billion shabu shipment.

"I will not tolerate any accusations of irregularity that will smear my personal integrity and record of service to the people," she said.

"Inaasahan ko na pawang katotohanan lamang at walang halong kasinungalingan ang sasabihin ni Kenneth Dong sa Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Hearing para sagutin ang mga seryosong akusasyon laban sa kanya," the senator added. — Margaret Claire Layug/MDM, GMA News