Shabu 'Middleman' Kenneth Dong Denies Trillanes' Accusations, “Paolo Duterte is Just an Acquaintance ”

Contrary to Senator Antonio Trillanes IV' accusations, Kenneth Dong, the alleged middleman in the P6.4-billion smuggled shabu from China, categorically denied that he and Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte are close. In a Senate hearing this Tuesday, August 15, he emphasized that he and President Rodrigo Duterte's son are just acquaintances.




"Nagkakilala kami way back in 2008 because I expanded my first branch of weighing scale in Davao. Acquaintance lang kasi hindi naman kami ganoon ka-close." Kenneth Dong said during the 3rd Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on the controversy, when Sen. Trillanes showed the public a copy of a photo of Dong and Paolo Duterte.

Nevertheless, Sen. Trillanes suggested that the wacky photo of Kenneth and Paolo appears that they are more than just acquaintances. The soldier-turned politican also showed a photo of Dong, this time he was with Sebastian 'Baste' Duterte, President Duterte's youngest son. The Filipino-Chinese businessman also denied being close with him.

In an earlier House hearing, Bureau of Customs (BOC) broker Mark Tagub mentioned the name of Paolo Duterte as allegedly a member of a so-called “Davao Group” that is involved in smuggling and has strong ties in the Customs agency. Nevertheless, he emphasized that it was only a hearsay, and that he don't have personal knowledge about it.

Meanhile, President Duterte reiterated on Saturday that he will immediately resign if any of his children is proven to be involved in graft and corruption. "I made a solemn commitment to you that if any one of my children – Inday, Polong or Baste – are involved in graft, I will step down as President of this republic at once. What I say in public, I will do." He said.



Last Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Paolo Duterte was only a victim of “trial by publicity,” adding that accusers should file cases in court and should show evidence to prove their allegations, instead of relying only on a photo. However, Sen. Trillanes noted that Senator Leila de Lima was also sent to jail because of selfie photos.

Contributed by Abner Esteno