Consignee of smuggled black corals threatened with contempt, arrest

MANILA, Philippines—The chairman of the Senate committee on environment and natural resources has threatened to cite for contempt and arrest Exequiel Navarro, consignee of smuggled black corals and turtles, for failing to attend Wednesday’s hearing at the Senate.

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri said he had received a text message from Navarro, saying that he could not attend the hearing of his committee because one of his siblings was sick.

“Pero gusto ko pong malaman niya na ito po ay isang napakaimportanteng imbestigasyon [But I would like him to know that this is a very important investigation]. We will not take this lightly,” Zubiri said.

“I would like to request Exequiel Navarro if he is listening in or he is watching us to please try to come before the hearing ends at 11am (today) or else we will cite him for contempt and have him arrested. We will have him arrested and brought to the Senate for our second hearing on Monday morning,” he said.

Zubiri said they were excited to hear Navarro’s testimony because they wanted to press him on his admission that he was only a dummy of the reported illegal shipment of black corals.

“We wanted to know who is the mastermind and financier of this shipment. But unfortunately, he is not here this morning and we will give him until noon time to appear. If not, he will be cited for contempt and arrested,” the senator added.