Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte talks a big game against crimes like smuggling, but it seems like can’t even rein in his own son, Paolo “Pulong” Duterte.
A Facebook page supporting the candidacy of senatorial aspirant Jovito Palparan Jr. recently produced evidence pointing to Paolo–the current vice mayor of Davao–as the “King of Smuggling Lords” in the city.
The pieces of evidence came in the form of two documents: one from the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
The documents, posted on “The Spratly Islands” community page, both came out during the time of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The particular FB post said that Paolo, the brash PDP-Laban standard-bearer’s eldest son, is implicated the smuggling of SUVs and high-end cars through the port of Davao.
“The documents were dated December 2007 but it is well known in Davao City that this anomaly has continued until today,” it said.
Also linked to the alleged smuggling activities as per the FB page is Paolo’s pal, Glen Escandor. Escandor is the owner of The Royal Mandaya Hotel and the Dasia Security Agency.
“Paolo and Glen have been long-time business associates who were once dragged in a public controversy when they used the road center islands for their outdoor/billboard advertising business,” the post further read.
The post also came with a disclaimer aimed at the Duterte family’s rabid followers.
“SASABIHIN NG MGA DUTERTARDS EDIT TO, PAKYU TUNAY NA DOKUMENTO MGA YAN!” It said.
Meanwhile, a document also came out that “Pulong” is involved in the smuggling of other goods such as rice, sugar, electronic products, canned goods and even “ukay-ukay”.
It should be noted that Lito Banayo, Mayor Duterte’s chief political strategist, was also charges by the NBI for rice smuggling during his days as National Food Authority (NFA) administrator.
When Banayo left NFA, he reportedly and hid in Davao City under the protection of the “crime-busting” mayor.
Another person charged by the NBI who’s enjoying refuge in Davao is Davidson Bangayan alias David Tan. Bangayan was previously investigated by the Senate along with Banayo in connection with big-time rice smuggling.
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