NBI takes custody of Davidson Bangayan

Suspected smuggler Davidson Bangayan, also known as David Tan, is placed under NBI custody and would soon be brought to Caloocan City court to answer pilferage charges. PHOTO BY TETCH TORRES-TUPAS/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Suspected smuggler Davidson Bangayan, also known as David Tan, was brought to the National Bureau of Investigation for custody after he was ordered arrested Monday for violation of  the Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines or the Materials Pilferage Act of 1994.

The NBI took custody of Bangayan after the Senate committee on agriculture hearing on rice smuggling in the country ordered his arrest.

An arrest warrant was earlier issued against him on charges of power pilferage.

However, authorities were not able to arrest Bangayan because the warrant stated that “David Tan is not Davidson Bangayan.”

During the hearing, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said they were informed by the executive judge of the Caloocan City Regional Trial Court (RTC) that they may now implement the arrest warrant after new witnesses surfaced, bolstering the claim that David Tan and Davidson Bangayan are one and the same person.

De Lima said they already have the sworn statement of a new witness, saying that their group’s financier was David Tan and that he is the same person as the Davidson Bangayan shown on television.

“Ang sabi nya po (He was) David Tan was their financier and there has been several occasions that they met face to face. He recounted one incident when groups of cooperatives lost in one bidding and voiced their sentiments on losing on the bidding. To appease these bidders, Mr. Tan personally met them and told them [not] to worry because the winning bidders were also his companies and promised them whatever income gained will be distributed pro rata among them,” the Secretary said.

De Lima said Bangayan was arrested on charges of pilferage of electricity as they are still working on the rice smuggling case against the businessman.

Bangayan is currently at the office of  NBI-NCR Chief Vicente De Guzman where his mugshots will be taken as well as his finger prints will be taken.

NBI Director Virgilio Mendez said in a text message that from the NBI Headquarters, Bangayan will be taken to the Caloocan court that issued the warrant for his arrest.

RELATED STORIES

List of big suspected smugglers disclosed

Duterte says he’s willing to kill Bangayan if caught smuggling rice in Davao City

Enrile wants David Bangayan cited for contempt