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With Gadon in tow, consumer advocate claims Trillanes tried to use him vs. Paolo Duterte


 

Lawyer Larry Gadon (left) and Perfecto Tagalog talk to reporters at the CIDG on August 27, 2019. Anna Felicia Bajo
Lawyer Larry Gadon (left) and Perfecto Tagalog talk to reporters at the CIDG on August 27, 2019. Anna Felicia Bajo

A consumer advocate on Tuesday claimed that former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV tried to use him to destroy the reputation of the President's son and Davao City Representative Paolo Duterte.

Perfecto Tagalog, who belongs to a group called the Coalition of Filipino Consumers, went to the Philippine National Police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and submitted a sworn testimony detailing his allegations against the former lawmaker.

Tagalog was accompanied by lawyer Larry Gadon, who had previously assisted Peter Joemel Advincula in his affidavit when the PNP filed a sedition complaint against the former senator and other opposition figures.

In an interview with reporters, Tagalog accused Trillanes of asking him to issue statements against Paolo in 2016. Tagalog claimed that in one press conference, he was given a prepared statement against Paolo and was told that they planned to file a case against the president's son for rice smuggling.

"Unang-una kasi gustong-gusto naming maliwanagan na ang aming organisasyon na Coalition of Filipino Consumers ay nagamit para sa pansariling interes ni Senator Antonio Trillanes," Tagalog said.

"Ang pinakita po sa akin na dokumento ng kampo ni Senator Trillanes ay ang rice smuggling... this is after the Kidapawan incident. Nangyari 'yun at pinakitaan ako ng NBI report kuno na ako ay naniniwala na totoo 'yung alegasyon nila kay Pulong Duterte," he added.

Tagalog further claimed that the supposed plan to file a case against Paolo did not prosper, adding that Trillanes "abandoned" him.

"So matagal akong tahimik dahil hindi sila tumugon sa usapan namin na hindi kami natuloy i-file sa husgado ang kaso na gusto namin. Wala na silang paramdam sa amin," he said.

"Lumabas ako dahil sa tingin ko nasa tama kami doon sa pananaw namin na nagamit lang din kami para siraan ang present administration," Tagalog added.

Tagalog also claimed that Trillanes had offered to give him money. "May ibibigay daw siya sa akin pero hindi ko tinanggap dahil ako ay naniniwala na pinaglalaban namin ay nasa tama at advocacy ng organization namin," he said.

'Kalokohan'

Asked about Tagalog's allegation, Trillanes' reply was brief. "Di ko kilala yang tao na yan. Dagdag na naman yan sa mga kalokohan ni Gadon," he said in a text message to GMA News Online. — with Amita Legaspi/BM, GMA News

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