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Polong linked to drug smuggling
By Nidz Godino
JIMMY GUBAN
“In the said meeting, Small told me he is the business partner and trusted man of Michael Yang, Polong Duterte, son of then president Rodrigo Duterte, and Atty. Mans Carpio, husband of then Davao City mayor Sara Duterte,” former intelligence officer of Bureau of Customs Jimmy Guban linked Davao City Rep. Paolo “Polong” Duterte to smuggling of illegal drugs, including P11 billion worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu confiscated in 2018.
Also implicated by Guban during second joint hearing of House of Representatives’ so-called quad committee were lawyer Manases Carpio, husband of Vice President Sara Duterte, and Chinese businessman Michael Yang, economic adviser of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Quad committee is composed of House panels on dangerous drugs, public order and safety, public accounts and human rights. Among other things, it is pursuing reports that funds from illegal activities of Philippine offshore gaming operators might have been used to reward law enforcers who executed drug suspects in Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
Guban arrived at the hearing wearing bulletproof vest and prisoner’s orange t-shirt as he has been incarcerated for six years now after he was convicted for his role in the drug smuggling operations.
In his affidavit submitted to the committee, he recalled that in 2017, he was introduced by Chinese businessman whom he knew only as “Henry” to Davao City Councilor Nilo Abellera Jr., who is also known as “Small.”
Guban claimed Small told him he was tasked to facilitate release of shipments.
He said in various incidents, he was requested by Small to relax processing of shipments because those were Yang’s, Polong’s and Mans’.
Citing intelligence reports, he said his team was able to seize magnetic lifters used to conceal billions worth of smuggled shabu at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).
PDEA officials earlier estimated lifters at MICP and warehouse in General Mariano Alvarez in Cavite all were found empty , may have contained shabu valued at P11 billion.
Guban alleged former first family tried to exert their influence over the shipment.
Guban lamented he was just doing his job but he was the one being pinned over illegal drugs he confiscated.
“There is grand conspiracy to clean names of the first family and Michael Yang’s and to include in the information name of their political rival, and I did not agree… I said person does not know anything,” he told committee.
Guban also mentioned journalists Benny Antiporda and Paul Gutierrez, whom he said were working with Dutertes.
He recounted phone call from BOC official Lourdes Mangaoang, who inquired about Vecaba Trading shipment shabu in Pampanga was consigned.
According to Guban, Mangaoang told him, “What can we do about that shipment, pareng Benny Antiporda owns that.”
Shipment from Vecaba Trading was eventually intercepted, and two magnetic lifters containing shabu were discovered.
Antiporda became undersecretary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources during Duterte administration, while Gutierrez has been appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.as executive director of Presidential Task Force on Media Security.
He also recalled that when he was facing Senate probe, Gutierrez, accompanied by Senate Blue Ribbon committee staff member, visited him and warned him against mentioning names of Polong Duterte, Carpio and Yang in his testimony.
Guban told joint committee that Dutertes lobbied for magnetic lifters they apprehended containing shabu at Manila Container Port.
“It was wrong to apprehend illegal drugs inside Bureau of Customs… I was only following orders from authorities,” he stressed.
Toward end of hearing, quad committee ordered invitations be sent to all individuals mentioned by Guban in his affidavit and testimony.
On the other hand, without categorically denying his involvement in illegal drugs, congressman Duterte denied knowing Guban.
“I do not know Jimmy Guban and I am sure that he does not know me either..we did not have any transactions or connections so there is no reason to threaten him if he ever says my name,” he said in statement.
He reminded public that for person to become “star witness” he must be truthful in his words and must have credibility.
“That person is not Jimmy Guban because he has been cited in contempt by Senate Blue Ribbon committee because he was telling lies,” he noted.
Lawmaker underscored clear that Guban’s testimonies do not have basis right from the start, so he wonders why quad committee took him as “star witness.”
“I would also want to see his sworn statement so that my lawyer and I can study it,” he added.
Meanwhile, Gutierrez called Guban “inveterate liar” as he denied allegations made against him by the former customs official.
“At quad comm hearing of Congress early today, my name was repeatedly mentioned by Mr. Jimmy Guban, former customs intelligence officer who has been convicted for drug trafficking incident in 2018…his statements against me are all falsehoods and clearly fed to him by someone else, as my conscience is clear, I am not bothered at all by all the lies Guban has been making nowadays,” Gutierrez said in statement.
Gutierrez said he does not personally know nor have met “any of the Dutertes,” Carpio or Yang.
“I also never had any personal or professional dealings with Mr. Guban while I was covering customs beat, although things I’ve been hearing about him at the waterfront are all unsavory,” he said.
Gutierrez said at the time Guban claimed he confronted him at the detention center of Senate, he was not assistant of Benny Antiporda but reporter and columnist for People’s Tonight covering customs and Senate beat.
“As Senate and customs beats are my area of coverage, I need to be there to cover drug smuggling probe and all hearings at the Senate,as lowly reporter, I am not in any position to make any threats to him, and according to him, in front of Senate Blue Ribbon committee staff…as matter of rule, visits to any Senate detainee had to be approved by the chair and result reported to him,” Gutierrez said.
“How can I threaten him on behalf of people that I don’t know and who also do not know me also, if indeed I did that, would this not be reported to Senate Blue Ribbon committee leading to my being banned from further covering Senate? Gutierrez added.
Gutierrez, however, admitted visiting Guban at Senate once only to check on his health.
“I also want to confirm from him if former National Press Club officer is his ‘PR’ as this former officer is seen attending Senate hearings although he no longer represents any newspaper…he did not answer me,” he added.
He also disputed Guban’s claim that Yang is member of National Press Club (NPC).
“We have never met Mr. Yang nor has Mr. Yang ever set foot at NPC,” Gutierrez said.
Gutierrez questioned Guban’s motive for linking him to the issue.
“Time and again, Guban has been proven to be inveterate liar…our lawmakers should therefore be forewarned in believing anything he says…truth must always fit with evidence,” he said.
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