Trillanes believes Taguba forced to deny Duterte-Carpio involvement

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV refuses to believe the denials of Broker Mark Taguba II over the alleged link of Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and his brother-in-law Manases Carpio to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) controversy.

“I can only imagine the pressure being applied on Mr. Taguba right now. But the hearing yesterday was seen on national TV so the public knows what he said or did not say,” Trillanes said.

The senator issued these statements after Taguba cleared Duterte and Carpio from the illegal shipment of shabu from China and other anomalies in the BOC.

“I am making this statement to clear Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and Atty. Mans Carpio from any involvement in the shipment of illegal drugs into the country, and any anomalies in the Bureau of Customs,” he said.

“I also hereby apologize to Vice Mayor Duterte, Atty. Carpio and to the first family for the proliferation of fake news arising out of my testimony at the Senate yesterday,” he added.

Trillanes, however, claims that the text messages that Taguba previously read were not fabricated and were not forced on the broker, either.

Despite being a key figure in the BOC controversy, Trillanes pushes on to summon Duterte and Carpio in the next committee hearing.

“Therefore, Mr. Taguba’s clarification doesn’t change anything, Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and Atty. Mans Carpio should still appear before the Blue Ribbon Committee,” he said.

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Source: Inquirer