Davidson Bangayan. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Like alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles, suspected rice smuggler Davidson Bangayan—also known as David Tan—has employed dummy organizations to pose as rice importers, according to sources from the National Bureau of Investigation.
The NBI holds the list of these dummy companies, some heads of which have appeared before investigators and submitted sworn affidavits, sources privy to the investigation but lacked the authority to speak to reporters told the Inquirer.
“Some of them pointed to Bangayan as the David Tan, while the others detailed how they were used as dummies for the rice smugglers,” one of the sources said.
The source said the result of the NBI investigation, which will be submitted next week, details the modus operandi of the illegal activities not only of Bangayan but others involved in the rice smuggling cartel.
‘Nonexistent’
“Some of the trading companies and cooperatives used were nonexistent,” the source said.
Another source said Bangayan, 33, could be easily linked to some of the dummy cooperatives and trading companies because just like in the pork barrel scam, the organizations listed under his name share common addresses.
Bangayan, accompanied by his lawyer, presented himself at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and later at the NBI on Tuesday. He was briefly detained for further questioning—not on rice smuggling but for allegedly pilfering electricity.
Bangayan, who was subsequently released, claimed that he had nothing to do with smuggling rice but admitted he “dabbles in selling rice.”
He said he voluntarily showed up after he saw photographs on TV of David Tan on Monday that looked like him.
Bogus consignees
Apart from bogus names, the rice smugglers also use fabricated names of consignees.
“These consignees’ modus operandi is to ‘misdeclare’ the content of their cargo as products that do not need import documents like plastic and shoes,” the source said.
“In the event that the containers of rice are seized because of misdeclaration, it would be difficult to immediately trace the shipper because they use fake names on papers,” the source added.
The smugglers, the source said, could still recover their rice through an auction, where they will also be the bidders under another company.
“The trading companies and cooperative organizations that participate in the bidding have complete accreditations and even pay taxes,” the source said.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima had ordered the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to issue a lookout bulletin against Bangayan based on the recommendation of NBI Director Virgilio Mendez.
Bangayan is the subject of an NBI investigation on rice smuggling activities and other related violations of criminal laws, including the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
De Lima said in the memo that “David Tan” is also the subject of a warrant of arrest issued by a Caloocan City Court.
Same ‘Goliath’
Davidson Bangayan and David Tan are one and the same “Goliath” of rice smuggling, according to the NBI.
Mendez earlier told the Inquirer that several witnesses have come forward and identified Bangayan as the “source of the smuggled rice.”
He said they have sufficient proof that Bangayan and Tan, the so-called big-time rice smuggler, were one and the same.
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is investigating three “David Tans,” including Bangayan, for rice smuggling, according to Customs Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Jessie Dellosa.
“We are conducting investigation parallel to the National Bureau of Investigation. Davidson Bangayan is on our list, but we’re still investigating, no concrete evidence yet,” Dellosa on Friday said at the sidelines of a BOC inspection of smuggled goods, including firecrackers and used clothing.
Without getting into details of the probe, Dellosa said he hopes to have the result of the investigation before the end of the month.
Asked if the BOC would invite Bangayan, Dellosa said there might be no need to summon him as he was already questioned by the NBI.
‘Old players’
Dellosa also refused to divulge any information about the identity of the two other Davids, saying it might preempt their probe, which, he said, started even before Bangayan surfaced.
Dellosa’s only description of the three, based on the information they have gathered, is that one of them is “thin,” one “stout” and one “young.”
He said he believes the David Tans they are investigating are “old players” in the bureau.
RELATED STORIES:
NBI says it has proof Davidson Bangayan, ‘David Tan’ are one person
BOC chief: We also like to know who David Tan is