Duterte: I told Faeldon to take a few days off

President Rodrigo Duterte has asked former Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon to take a “few days off” amid the corruptions allegations hurled against him.

“I told him to take a few days off. We will talk about his—talk about everything after that. Magpahinga ka na lang muna (Take a break),” Duterte said in an ambush interview after the National Heroes Day celebration at the Libigan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.

Duterte and Faeldon met in Davao City on Friday two days after Sen. Panfilo Lacson claimed that Faeldon received P100 million as “welcome gift” right after assuming his position at the Bureau of Customs.

READ: Holy mackerel! Lacson bares Faeldon got P100-M ‘pasalubong’

President Rodrigo Duterte (left) and Former Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon. JOAN BONDOC, INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

Faeldon, who has denied the allegation, is under fire due to the P6.4-billion worth of smuggled drugs from China.

Faeldon hit back at Lacson on Thursday, saying the senator’s son, Panfilo “Pampi” Lacson Jr., has been smuggling billions-worth of cement in the country.

READ: Faeldon links Lacson, son to cement smuggling

Amid the 6.4 billion smuggled drugs at the BOC and the corruption allegations against Faeldon, Duterte has said he remained in support of the former customs chief.

“I still believe that Faeldon is honest,” Duterte said in a speech in Marawi City on August 24.

The President earlier said he was open to reassign Faeldon to another government post. JE