NBI probing links of businessman Jaime Tan Cruz to Dutertes

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Monday said it is now investigating the connection between businessman Jaime Tan Cruz and companies tied to Vice President Sara Duterte and her siblings.

NBI director Melvin Matibag made the pronouncement after establishing the alleged links between Cruz and the businesses associated with Duterte and brothers Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte.

READ: Impeachment trial: Jaime Tan Cruz was ex-Pres Duterte’s envoy to China

During a press conference, Matibag shared a network graph showing the connection between Cruz and the Duterte siblings.

“Nanggaling mismo ‘yan sa declaration nila, itong binabanggit ngayon nanggaling sa declaration nila mismo,” said Matibag in a press conference. 

(That came directly from their declarations, what we’re stating right now is based from their declarations.)

“Even Mayor Baste Duterte, who claims na wala siyang alam, but based on the documents, lumalabas may relationship din siya to Jaime T. Cruz,” he added.

(Even Mayor Baste Duterte, who claims to not know anything, has connections with Jaime T. Cruz based on the documents.)

Matibag then noted what he described as a worrisome detail in their records, particularly of a certain connection to a Chinese individual named Ang Hai Peng.

“But what is telling here is merong Chinese personality rito, in the name of Ang Hai Peng na bigla na lang nawala, nandodoon siya noong 2013 tapos nawala na lang siya,” said Matibag.

(But what is telling here is there is a Chinese personality here, in the name of Ang Hai Peng who suddenly disappeared, he was there in 2013 but suddenly went missing.)

“Walang trace, wala nang trace (no traces were left). So again, we are looking into it,” he added.

To recall, it was revealed during Duterte’s impeachment trial that Cruz was the former special envoy for trade and investments for China during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Foreign investments

Meanwhile, Matibag in the same press conference said the NBI is also already investigating the alleged foreign financial support received by another Duterte-linked company, Cale88 Food Corp.

“We have put up a foreign malign influence investigating unit para imbestigahan natin ito (to investigate this),” said Matibag.

“Tama rito si Presidente na (the President is correct in saying) the money coming from a foreign entity especially coming from a country not so friendly with the Philippines ay kailangan natin imbestigahan (should be investigated) because there is an issue on national security,” he added.

This came after it was revealed during Duterte’s impeachment trial that Cale88 received more than P319 million in remittances from China. /jpv