After arrest, P6.4-B shabu shipment ‘middleman’ Kenneth Dong maintains innocence

Kenneth Dong, the alleged middleman in the P6.4-billion shabu shipment from China that slipped past port authorities in 2017, maintained his innocence on Wednesday, two days after his arrest.

At a press conference called by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Dong said he had planned to surrender after Chinese New Year on Tuesday and was surprised when NBI agents arrested him at a "friend's" house in Katarungan Village the day before.

He is accused of conspiring with others to import more than 600 kilograms of shabu that was discovered at a warehouse in Valenzuela City in 2017. Until Monday, he had eluded an arrest warrant issued by a Manila court in early 2018.

But Dong, who is identified in court records as an alias for one Dong Yi Shen Xi, said his function was limited to translation services and client referrals.

He said his co-accused Mark Ruben Taguba II, an alleged fixer he claimed he has worked with on some 30 transactions involving general merchandise such as shoes and clothes, had in this case asked him to look for Chinese clients.

He said he introduced Taguba to Manny Li -- also a co-accused -- but claimed he did not know anyone else involved in the transaction.

"Most of the business transaction is compartmentalized," he said. He also said he is willing to cooperate with authorities in the case.

Taguba is under government custody, as is Eirene Mae Tatad, the alleged consignee of the shipment. Dong said he would prefer to stay locked up at the NBI detention facility or be detained at Camp Bagong Diwa.

The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 46 has yet to decide where Dong would be committed, the NBI said. — RSJ, GMA News