Davao City-based businessman Charlie Tan will be summoned in the next hearing on the alleged “tara system” in the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
Tan is allegedly one of the members of the so-called “Davao Group,” which was said to have facilitated the shipment of the P6.4 billion worth of shabu from China into the country last May.
The Senate blue ribbon committee resumed its investigation on the smuggling in the BOC involving the alleged “tara system” in the agency, as well as the P6.4 billion drug shipment that went past its inspection.
Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte admitted that Tan is his “friend” but said he had no knowledge about his supposed dealings with the BOC.
Duterte said what he knows so far about Tan is that the latter owns a bar, a piggery, and a seafood business in Palawan.
Senator Bam Aquino asked Duterte if he thinks Tan possibly had involvement in the massive smuggling and corruption in the Customs.
Duterte answered: “Your honor, I think Charlie Tan can best answer that question.”
Businessman Kenneth Dong, who was the middleman in the shabu shipment, said Tan was also his friend.
“He is a legitimate businessman in Davao. I have known him for 10 years but never kami nagkaroon ng transaction,” Dong said.
His brother-in-law Mans Carpio also said he knew Tan personally.
Earlier in the hearing, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV showed several photos of Tan with Duterte. Trillanes also flashed a photo of Tan with President Duterte at Malacañang. je