MANILA, Philippines- Sumulat ang House Quad Committee sa Bureau of Corrections upang hilinging ilipat ang umano’y Customs fixer na si Mark Taguba sa kustodiya nito dahil sa umano’y security threat.
Dumalo si Taguba sa ika-12 pagdinig ng mega panel nitong Miyerkules.
Hinatulan ang 33-anyos na Manila Court sa P6.4 bilyong shabu shipment na nakalusot sa Bureau of Customs noong 2017.
Umapela si dating senador Antonio Trillanes sa mga mambabatas na ilipat ni Taguba, sinabing kabilang ito sa mga testigo sa drug smuggling complaint na inihain ng dating mambabatas sa justice department noong Hulyo.
“I got word from his lawyer that he is receiving threats from some people involved in the case. That’s why I am going to plead on his behalf that he be transferred into the Detention facility of the House of Representatives just so we can protect him,” wika niya.
Isinulong naman ni Quad comm co-chairperson Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano, na nakausap ni Taguba, ang mosyon kalaunan sa pagdinig.
“With the request of mister Taguba because of security threat, may I move Mister Chairman that we request the BuCor through Usec. Gregorio Catapang for mister Taguba to be transferred to the House Sergeant-at-Arms until the Committee completes its investigation or until the perceived threat is fully eliminated,” aniya.
Inaprubahan ng mega panel ang mosyon at pinagtibay.
Matatandaang sinintensyahan si Taguba ng habambuhay na pagkakakulong dahil sa nasabing shabu shipment.
“Meron kaming letter na we sent via fax kay [Director General Gregorio] Catapang. So siguro lalabas yun maya-maya,” ayon naman kay Quad comm chairperson Rep. Robert Ace Barbers sa hearing.
“Now that he appeared before this committee, they probably thought may i-spill siya, ika nga spill the beans.”
“Sabi ko temporarily diyan muna siya sa detention hanggang lumabas yung order ng ano. Kasi hindi naman pwedeng hindi. Siguro pwede naman i-dahilan huwag muna i-biyahe for his safety,” dagdag ni Barbers. RNT/SA
