Duterte clears Davao City businessman of drug links

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday cleared a Davao City-based businessman accused of involvement in illegal drugs.

Speaking before alumni of the Philippine Military Academy in Malacañang, Duterte vouched for the integrity of Michael Yang, owner of the Davao City Los Amigos (DCLA) stores in Mindanao.

"Ito daw si Michael Yang na drug addict daw. Ang ambassador [Zhao Jianhua] ng China, diyan natutulog sa bahay niya. At saka kasama ‘yan doon sa entourage ni Premier of China," Duterte said.

"Pero kung sabihin mo ‘yung Michael Yang lalabas [may kinalaman sa droga]. Hindi ‘yan totoo. Matagal na ‘yan sa Davao."

Duterte also said he met Yang during a command conference with authorities and the latter offered to invite investors to Davao City, where the President was mayor for more than two decades.

"Sabi ko, 'Oo.' Tapos dala-dala niya ‘yung dalawang bayong na cellphone para consignment lang. Talagang naghirap ‘yan," he added.

But Duterte said he warned Yang against engaging in illegal drugs.

"Sabi ko nga doon sa command conference , sabi ko na 'Ano, mag-negosyo ka dito?' Sabi ko , these are my exact words, 'P— ina mo. Do not f—k with drugs because I will bury you alive.' 'Yun talaga ang warning ko diyan," Duterte said.

Following media reports that Duterte linked Yang to Zhao, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque clarified that the President did not make such claim.

"I think it’s very clear that what the President meant to say was: number one, he cannot believe that Michael Yang is involved in the drug trade; and number two, because he was saying he could not believe that Michael Yang is involved in the drug trade," Roque told reporters on Friday.

Roque also said he had no idea why Duterte brought up Yang's name during his speech.  —Virgil Lopez/BAP/NB, GMA News

(Note: This story has been revised to more accurately reflect the President's remarks as regards the issue.)