DAVAO CITY – Vice President Sara Duterte’s husband, Atty. Manases Carpio, slammed former Sen. Antonio F. Trillanes IV for filing drug smuggling cases against him and his brother-in-law Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte.
Carpio, in a statement posted on social media on Thursday, August 1, said that Trillanes is trying to bring back his accusations against him, Rep. Duterte, and the “Davao Group” for alleged involvement in illegal drugs.
“It is appalling that former Sen. Trillanes is trying to revive his accusations against me, Cong. Paulo Duterte, and the ‘Davao Group’ for involvement in illegal drugs when a Senate inquiry he took part in found no reason to recommend our indictment,” Carpio said.
Caprio said it is understandable that Trillanes would try to boost his political standing by seeking attention but it is shameful that he is targeting innocent people. He added that Trillanes should learn from the fact that he is still facing libel charges due to the reckless maligning of innocent people.
Rep. Duterte welcomed on Wednesday, July 31, the drug smuggling case filed by the former senator against him. He expressed confidence that he would be cleared of the accusation against him.
The lawmaker said such a move by the former senator is a welcome development since the hearing will occur in the Philippine courts. He added that this would allow them to address the accusations through proper legal channels, ensuring the truth prevails.
Also in the complaint filed by Trillanes were Taiwanese businessman Charlie Tan, former Bureau of Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, former BOC Director of Investigation and Intelligence Service Neil Anthony Estrella, retired Army Col. Allen “Big Brother” Capuyan, businessman Pompey “Jack” Perez, former BOC personnel Teofilo Joseph “Jojo” Bacud and Nanie “Tita Nanie” Cabatu Coronation, and Davao City Councilor Nilo Abellera Jr.
They were accused of violating Section 4 of Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 over the 2017 seizure of 602 kilos of shabu worth P6.4 billion.
In 2017, during a Senate hearing, former Davao police officer Arthur Lascañas linked Duterte, who was then a vice mayor of Davao City, as well as Carpio, to the shipment of drugs that came from China.