Ex-BOC man linked to ‘shabu’ smuggling placed under WPP

Resigned Customs intelligence officer Jimmy Guban. INQUIRER.NET PHOTO/CATHY MIRANDA

Resigned customs intelligence officer Jimmy Guban has been placed under the Witness Protection Program (WPP) of the Department of Justice (DOJ), Senate President Vicente Sotto III confirmed on Thursday.

“Yes, as ordered by the blue ribbon,” Sotto said in a text message, when asked about Guban’s transfer to the DOJ.

He was referring to the Senate blue ribbon committee, chaired by Sen. Richard Gordon, which has been conducting an inquiry into the P11 billion worth of “shabu” (crystal meth) that was smuggled into the country concealed in magnetic lifters.

Sotto said Senate Sergeant at Arms Jose Balajadia informed him about Guban’s transfer to the DOJ around 12:20 p.m. on Thursday.

Senate detention

“Mr. Guban was fetched by chief of operations of the WPP, Benito Talabucon,” Balajadia said.

Gordon earlier ordered Guban’s detention in the Senate for his alleged refusal to tell the truth during the hearings into the drug smuggling. But he was later considered a witness and placed under “protective custody” of the chamber. —MAILA AGER