PTFoMS exec denies threatening ex-Customs intel officer

Paul Gutierrez, Executive Director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), has denied claims by former Customs intelligence officer Jimmy Guban that he acted as an emissary to warn Guban against implicating Congressman Paolo Duterte, Manases Carpio, and Michael Yang in a 2018 shabu importation case.

Guban had testified in a House hearing that Gutierrez threatened him with death if he named the three individuals in connection with the P6.8-billion shabu smuggling controversy.

Gutierrez dismissed Guban's statements as falsehoods, stating that he does not personally know any of the individuals mentioned.

He further clarified that he never worked as an 'assistant' to former environment undersecretary Benny Antiporda, who Guban alleged had sent him.

Gutierrez, who was a reporter covering the Customs and Senate beats at the time Guban was detained, explained his presence at hearings was for his journalistic duties.

He advised lawmakers to be cautious in believing Guban's testimony, characterizing him as an "inveterate liar" and a convicted drug trafficker.