Middleman cleared out VM Paolo Duterte’s name in P6.4 B Shabu issue

Photo from Sunstar

Kenneth Dong, the alleged middleman of the P6.4 Billion shabu shipment retracts Customs broker Mark Taguba's previous statement that VM Paolo Duterte receives grease money from the shabu shipment which was illegally imported in the country.

The middleman of the P6.4 Billion shabu shipment from China, Kenneth Dong, said that VM Duterte was just an acquaintance.



“Nagkakilala kami way back in 2008 because I expanded my first branch of weighing scales in Davao. Acquaintance lang kasi hindi naman kami ganoon ka-close,” said Kenneth Dong, the so-called broker of Richard Tan, said during the blue ribbon committee probe. Tan was the owner of  Hongfei Logistics, the suspected importer of the shabu shipment.

However, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV exposed photographs of Dong with Paolo Duterte and Baste Duterte, the presidential sons. However, Dong said that it was just his hobby having photographs with other people. “Mahilig po ako mag-picture sa public. ‘Yan ang problema sa 'kin kaya naiintriga ako,” Dong spelled out. Dong also denied the rumors that he and VM Duterte were close friends.

VM Duterte’s name was dragged in the issue after Mark Taguba, customs broker, mentioned his name in the committee hearing last August 12. Taguba suspect Paolo as a member of the group of individuals who were taking part in the transactions of the Bureau of Customs in Davao City called the “Davao Group.”



When Taguba was asked if VM Duterte was part of this group, Taguba replied them with “It’s just hearsay.”

Taguba said he has no personal knowledge about the vice mayor’s alleged involvement. “Sabi-sabi lang,” he told the committee.

Deputy Commissioner Gerardo Gambala, stated that does not know the supposed participation of Paolo Duterte in the Davao Group. “I could hear noises, I could hear people’s names. I could just hear Davao Group but the people behind it, I don’t know that.” 

Senator Manny Pacquiao said that Taguba cannot just namedrop Paolo’s name without evidence to support his claims. “Hindi mo puwede banggitin ang pangalan ng tao na hindi ka sigurado. Hindi mo pwede banggitin na sabi-sabi lang,” Paquiao said.

Source: GMA News

Love this article? Sharing is caring!