MANILA — Following the testimony of an Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) witness on Monday, the House prosecution called for further investigation into the alleged ties of Vice President Sara Duterte to China.
The call came after AMLC Executive Director Atty. Ronel Buenaventura testified that Cale88 Food Corporation, which was linked to Duterte, received a total of P319 million in remittances from China and Hong Kong.
“I find it compelling also to call on the other government agencies such as the National Security Council, the PNP, the NBI, look into this, and see ano bang extent ng connection mayroon itong pamilyang ito sa China,” House lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro said on Monday in the post-trial press briefing.
Luistro said the matter is particularly concerning amid the ongoing territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea, particularly the harassment against fisherfolk and the Philippine Coast Guard.
“Ang ating mga kababayan doon sa WPS, nabubully sa sariling teritoryo and we do npot understand why one of the highest officials will be receiving this huge amount of remittance from the country where all these injustices are being experienced by our countrymen,” Luistro added.
House trial adviser Ace Barbers said further investigation could help determine the nature of the transactions and whether they raise national security concerns.
“Dapat patuloy ang ating imbestigasyon na gagawin dahil mayroon itong seruous national secuirty implications… Para saan itong pera na ito? Sinong direct beneficiary na ito? Ito ba ay bayad para sa pananahimik ng ating pangalawang Pangulo sa usapin ng West Philippine Sea?,” he said.