Ombudsman panel clears Paolo Duterte in P6.4-B ‘shabu’ case

THE special fact-finding team of the Office of the Ombudsman has cleared former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and lawyer Manases Carpio in the P6.4-billion “shabu” shipment case due to “lack of basis.”

However, Bureau of Customs (BOC) officials included in the case, like former BOC commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, now face criminal and administrative charges.

As posted in its official website, the Ombudsman said it has completed the fact-finding investigation on smuggling complaint of 602.2 kilograms of high-grade methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as “shabu,” with an estimated value of P6.4 billion.

The panel, however, recommended the filing of criminal charges for violation of the Republic Act (RA) 3019 or The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices against former Bureau of Customs (BOC) commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, Import Assessment Service director Milo Maestrecampo, Risk Management Office head Larribert Hilario and Accounts Management Office head Mary Grace Tecson-Malabed.

The panel also recommended the filing of administrative charges for grave misconduct against Faeldon and BOC team leader Joel Pinawin and assistant leader Oliver Valiente, as well as gross neglect of duty and grave misconduct against Tecson-Malabed and Maestrecampo.

A violation for Usurpation of Official Functions, for RA 9165 or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and for RA 3019 shall also be filed against Faeldon.

BOC Director Neil Anthony Estrella will also be facing charges for violation of the RA 3019. The criminal and administrative charges will undergo preliminary investigation and administrative adjudication, respectively.

Operatives of the BOC-Customs Intelligence and Investigative Services, National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, conducted a raid in a warehouse owned by the Philippine Hongfei Logistics Group of Companies, Inc. in Valenzuela City last May 26, 2017.

According to the field investigators, the raid involved the controlled delivery of shipment declared to contain printing cylinders. The BOC later discovered and seized shabu but the manner through which the discovery and seizure were made leaves much to be desired.

Evidence suggests that numerous laws and administrative issuances pertaining to the proper search, seizure, handling and controlled delivery of drugs were violated by the public officers.

The Ombudsman also clarified that Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales took no part in the fact-finding investigation.