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Gordon ends P6.4-B shabu shipment probe, to focus on ‘tara’ in BOC


Senator Richard Gordon ended Tuesday the blue ribbon committee’s investigation on the P6.4-billion shabu shipment from China but said that they will continue with their probe on the alleged "tara" system in the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

"We are ready to make our report. We will release it tomorrow. It will be a report based on what we gathered here," Gordon said.

Asked if the Davao Group’s supposed involvement in the transactions at the Bureau of Customs, as alleged by Senator Antonio Trillanes, will be included in the report, the senator answered in the negative.

“What will figure prominently is the drug investigation. There was no, he was not able to say anything when the people were here. The minority was there and they said they can go home so we were not able to get anything that will be included in the report,” he told reporters after the hearing.

Davao Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and lawyer Mans Carpio, President Rodrigo Duterte’s son and son-in-law who were allegedly part of the group, attended the hearing.

However, Gordon said they will continue pursuing the cases filed against those allegedly involved in the shipment.

"I will close the meeting on drugs but we will not abandon pursuit on the cases filed with respect to drugs. We will continue to pursue that even if we terminate this hearing," Gordon said.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has filed a criminal complaint against former BOC commissioner Nicanor Faeldon and 11 others before the Department of Justice in connection with the shipment.

"We will not hesitate to drop the hammer on anyone. We will write the Ombudsman, the Supreme Court, and we will make sure the report on this investigation will be given to them,” Gordon said.

The senator said they will recommend the filing of charges against other persons involved in the case.

“Definitely, in fact kaya tinanong ko [kung] ilan na ang kinasuhan nila kasi sa report namin may mga kakasuhan, ‘yung nagpapasok, bukas ang lalabas paano nakapasok sa green lane,” he said.

He also said they will continue with their communications with other countries to address the problem of drug smuggling.

Gordon the next hearing, set for September 25, will focus on the alleged "tara" (bribe) system that was exposed by Senator Panfilo Lacson in a privilege speech in late August. —KBK/BM, GMA News

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