MANILA - The Office of the Ombudsman has created a panel of investigators tasked to look into how P6.4 billion worth of shabu from China slipped past the Bureau of Customs in May.
In a statement, the Ombudsman noted that the drug shipment was allegedly facilitated by the so-called Davao Group that was mentioned by Customs fixer Mark Taguba during congressional hearings.
Taguba claimed he gave millions of pesos to the Davao Group for release of his shipments on the assumption that its members were working for the President's son, Davao Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, and his brother-in-law, Atty. Maneses Carpio.
The Ombudsman said its probe on the allegation is in line with the order of President Rodrigo Duterte for independent agencies to investigate the matter.
Both Duterte and Carpio, a nephew of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, have denied any involvement with the alleged corruption at BOC.
President Rodrigo Duterte has said he had ordered police to kill his own son if the latter is caught involved in the drug trade.
Several BOC officials, including former Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, also denied pocketing payoff for facilitating questionable shipments.
Report from Adrian Ayalin, ABS-CBN News
Ombudsman, war on drugs, Bureau of Customs, corruption, Davao Group, Mark Taguba, Paolo Duterte, Mans Carpio