BUSINESSMAN Mark Taguba on Wednesday night reaffirmed his seven-year-old testimony implicating Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, his brother-in-law Manases “Mans” Carpio and other members of the so-called “Davao Group” in the smuggling of P6.4 billion worth of shabu in 2017.
Appearing before the House Quad Comm, Taguba—currently detained for his role in processing the shipment—said he was standing by his 2017 statement despite continued harassment and death threats.
Taguba denied ever recanting his allegations, insisting that his statements before the Senate and House investigations seven years ago have remained consistent.
“Wala po akong na-recant sa affidavit ko kina Pulong Duterte po,” Taguba said during questioning by Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro.
He admitted apologizing to the then-presidential son in a press conference amid intense pressure but stressed that it was not a retraction.
Taguba accused the Davao Group of manipulating Customs operations through key intermediaries, including Davao City Councilor Nilo “Small” Abellera. He claimed he paid Abellera P5-million “enrollment fee” to avail of the group’s services and gain access to Pulong.
Abellera, who was present during the hearing, admitted meeting Taguba in Davao City but denied receiving money from him, stating that his requests had been rejected.
But Taguba countered Abellera’s denial, saying, “Kinuha niya ang pera.”
Taguba also implicated Carpio, the husband of Vice President Sara Duterte, and alleged that money was funneled through Davao Group operatives like “Tita Nani.”
“Sabi nila si Pulong Duterte ang mag-aayos kapag nagbigay ako ng pera,” Taguba recalled, describing his interactions with the operatives.
Taguba detailed the harassment he endured after naming Pulong and Carpio during a congressional hearing, including threats against his life and his family.
“Pati nanay ko, balak nilang patayin,” he said, describing the extreme measures allegedly taken to silence him.
He also revealed that his security detail from the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms was removed, leaving him vulnerable to further intimidation.
The shabu shipment, which originated in China, was intercepted in a warehouse in Valenzuela City in 2017, but questions remain about the true ownership of the contraband.
LIFE IMPRISONMENT
Meanwhile, a Manila court recently sentenced Taguba and his co-accused Eirene Mae Tatad and Dong Yi Shen, alias Kenneth Dong, to life imprisonment for their roles in the shabu shipment. They have filed a motion for reconsideration and sought the inhibition of the judge handling the case.
An emotional Taguba criticized the justice system for failing to hold powerful figures accountable.
He also expressed frustration that while private individuals like him were convicted, key players escaped prosecution.
After hearing his testimony and the threats to his life, the Quad Comm, led by Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, approved a motion to request the Bureau of Corrections to transfer Taguba to House custody.
On motion by Quad Comm co-chair Joseph Stephen Paduano, the panel resolved to detain Taguba at the House “until the termination of the hearings or until the threat to his life is eliminated.”
Despite his conviction, Taguba’s testimony continues to shed light on the alleged influence of the Davao Group, keeping the focus on unanswered questions surrounding one of the country’s most high-profile smuggling cases.
