Trillanes files drug smuggling, graft raps vs Pulong Duterte, Carpio, Faeldon

Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV filed drug smuggling and graft complaints before the Department of Justice against Davao City First District Rep. Paolo "Pulong" Duterte, Atty. Manases Carpio, and former Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon.

The complaint accuses the trio, along with other personalities including Taiwanese businessman Charlie Tan and several Davao local officials, of conspiracy in the smuggling of 600 kilos of shabu, allegedly facilitated through the Bureau of Customs express lane in relation to the P6.4 billion shipment seized in 2017.

Trillanes cited evidence from a 2017 Senate inquiry, identifying Tan as the main drug lord and Duterte and Carpio as protectors, while Faeldon and others are accused of facilitating the shipment's release.

The charges include violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Rep. Duterte welcomed the filing of the case, stating that it will allow the accusations to be addressed through proper legal channels and expressed confidence in the judicial process to clear his name, while maintaining his innocence.