Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. (File photo by EDWIN BACASMAS / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Citing own information, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV claimed on Thursday that Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon was “at the heart” of the alleged P6.4-billion worth of smuggled shabu that continues to hound the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
“As to Faeldon, I have enough information to say that he is at the heart of this controversy,” Trillanes said in a statement.
“And once he is done malingering, I hope he musters enough courage to face the grilling of the senators and congressmen,” he added.
READ: Faeldon has ‘heart problems,’ says chief of staff
The senator also affirmed that some Customs officials were not members of the Magdalo group.
“I would like to affirm the statements of Commissioner Faeldon, DepCom (Deputy Commissioner) Gerry Gambala and Dir. Milo Maestrecampo that they are not part of the Magdalo group,” he said.
Faeldon, Gambala and Maestrecampo earlier denied their ties with the Magdalo group known for staging the Oakwood mutiny in 2003 after alleged corruption issues cropped up against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Faeldon said he only joined the mutiny but he was never a part of the group, while Gambala and Maestrecampo were previous members.
“However, having known well enough my PMA (Philippine Military Academy) classmates, Gerry Gambala and Milo Maestrecampo, I am almost certain that they are not part of the syndicate that facilitated the release of this six billion peso shabu shipment,” Trillanes said.
“Having said that, the various investigations, which they have bravely faced, ultimately, would determine their guilt or innocence,” added the senator.
The BOC officials are under fire for allowing the entry of a shipment, reportedly containing 605 kilograms of smuggled shabu from China. JPV