Ex-BOC intel implicates VP Sara’s husband, brother in drug smuggling

National

FORMER Bureau of Customs (BOC) intelligence officer Jimmy Guban accused several prominent figures, including Vice President Sara Duterte’s husband Manases Carpio, her brother Davao City Representative Paolo Duterte, and former economic adviser Michael Yang, of being involved in smuggling P11 billion worth of shabu in 2018.

Guban, who is currently imprisoned at the National Bilibid Prison, testified at a House quad-committee hearing.

The hearing, which included the Committees on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Human Rights, and Public Accounts, investigates links between online gaming operators, the illegal drug trade, and extrajudicial killings related to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.

In his affidavit, Guban revealed that Davao City Councilor Nilo Abellera Jr. introduced him to the smuggling operation in early 2017.

He claimed Abellera, a close associate of the Duterte family and Michael Yang, helped facilitate the release of smuggled goods from the BOC.

Guban said Abellera pressured him to ease restrictions on shipments connected to Yang, Duterte, and Carpio.

Guban also worked with former police officer Col. Eduardo Acierto, who provided intelligence on the smuggling. They traced a suspicious shipment from Vecaba Trading International, which was later found to contain magnetic lifters with shabu.

He reported these findings to BOC officials, leading to the interception of the shipment.

Guban claimed that during Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings, Paul Gutierrez, a media figure, threatened him not to name the involved personalities. Gutierrez, now head of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, denied these allegations and criticized Guban’s credibility.

Guban also accused former Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda of helping to release the shipment. Antiporda denied any involvement, saying he did not personally know the Duterte family or Yang.

The quad committee has invited all individuals named by Guban to testify. Guban, who was convicted for his role in the smuggling operation, is appealing his conviction and will join the Witness Protection Program.

The investigation continues as authorities look into the alleged corruption and drug trafficking connections.(MyTVCebu