Duterte orders arrest of former Customs intel over link to alleged P6.8-B ‘shabu’ shipment

DAVAO CITY (October 24) —President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday ordered the arrest of a resigned Bureau of Customs (BOC) intelligence officer for allegedly allowing the entry P6.8 Billion worth of suspected “shabu” hidden inside magnetic lifters.

Duterte was in the middle of his speech in Malacañang, when he ordered Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde to arrest and bring resigned Customs intelligence officer Jimmy Guban to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

He said “Now tell me, sinong tao na ‘yan sa gobyerno ang nangingilkil sa’yo, nanghingi? Tell me who is this guy asking for money, extortion. I will call him here. I’ll have him arrested. Kaya si Guban pinaaresto ko. Sabi ko, “Right after the session, you arrest him.” Sabi ni Albayalde, “What grounds?” “Just arrest him. Bring him to the NBI. Huwag kayo kasi — kayo na-mention kayo diyan sa investigation. Bring him to the NBI.” Duterte said Wednesday as the House of Representatives held an inquiry into the alleged smuggling of P6.8 billion worth of shabu into the country.

P***** i**. Tapos dalhin mo doon sa Cavite, ihulog doon sa… Siya ang nagpapasok, siya ang nag-fake ng ID ng… T*** i**. Para mo… Alam mo, if you do that everyday, p****** i** ginagawa mo akong g*** eh. ‘Pag ganun na lang, I would rather resign,” Duterte added.

The President earlier released a “secret special report” tagging Guban and other high-ranking police officials in the illegal drug trade.

The report which was submitted to Duterte, indicated that Guban developed a network and he acted like a facilitator to individuals who wanted to bring in contraband such as illegal drugs, fireworks, rice, sugar, onions and garlic.

It said Guban was already familiar with all the owners of warehouses he was raiding as well as their managers, who were mostly Chinese.

“Those are the same owners whom he collects grease money [from],” the report said.

“The raids were his means of showing the owners that he has the power and influence in the Intelligence Group of the DOC so that they will continue to pay ‘tara’ to his group.”

The report also linked Guban to a certain Chen Yu, reportedly a member of the Bamboo Alliance Syndicate that “offers all sorts of transactions.”

The same report stated “Guban’s source of wealth is dubious. In the past, he only used to ride a motorcycle, but after several operations and ‘accomplishments’, his new ride became a Land Cruiser and he eventually possessed a number of homes.”

Duterte said Guban faked identification cards to allow the entry of tons of shabu through the magnetic lifters in the BOC.

“He allowed the entry, he faked the ID. You know, if you do that every day, you are fooling me. If that’s the case, I would rather resign,” the President said.

During the previosu Senate inquiry, Guban claimed Police Senior Supt. Eduardo Acierto had instructed him to find a consignee for the shipment.