Duterte orders probe of J&T Express, threatens to shut down firm

J&T Express, whose employees were caught in a viral video carelessly throwing pieces of parcel into a truck while loading cargo, has caught President Rodrigo Duterte's ire.

In a briefing aired past midnight on Wednesday, Duterte warned the firm's owner of possible closure should it be found liable. He said he had received reports that some of the items it delivered were lost or replaced.

Duterte has ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate the courier company while he has tasked the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to look into its finances.

"I am not condemning you now. I am also not insinuating that you are also liable or doing it... It will depend greatly on the result of the investigation," Duterte said in a live briefing.

The company's employees were also caught on video throwing packages recklessly in a truck. A buyer later complained that a tablet delivered by the company had a cracked screen.

"It's not really one or two incidents na tinapon ninyo. Hindi masyado 'yung sa handling of the cargo. It's the lost cargo or cargo na pinalitan ninyo as a courier, company registered as a courier," Duterte said.

"Because of so many complaints, I will close you down. Sigurado 'yan. Sasarahan talaga kita, whether you like it or not, after the CIDG and the NIB would finish their investigation and would point a liability sa inyo," he added.

Duterte advised complainants to go to police stations and file a complaint.

"Tapos tignan ko. If I am satisfied na medyo may kalokohan, sisirain ko kayo. And I will file charges, also," Duterte said.

The firm has said that it would sanction those involved in the careless handling of parcels.

The issue as regards J&T Express was the only issued Duterte discussed apart from the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. -NB, GMA News