MANILA – A Manila court denied the petition for bail filed by Customs broker Mark Ruben Taguba II and shipment consignee Eirene Mae Tatad who have been indicted for their part in the shipment of shabu worth P6.4 billion in two warehouses in Valenzuela City in May 2017.
Judge Rainelda Escacio-Montesa of the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 46 noted that Taguba has admitted that he processed and facilitated the entry of container van MCLU6001881 through the Bureau of Customs.
Taguba also admitted that the container van was loaded in a truck with plate number AAC 3123 of Golden Strike Logistics, Inc., a company owned by him, the court explained.
As for Tatad, the court pointed out that “she unequivocally admitted” that she allowed her trading firm to be used, for a minimal fee, as a dummy consignee in the shipment and this shows her participation in what appears to be a conspiracy to bring into the country, shipments in the container number MCLU 6001881.
“Consistent with the doctrine on implied conspiracy, these actions on the part of both accused are sufficient to prove the existence of a concurrence in sentiment, regardless of any proof that any actual agreement took place,” the court added. (With a report from PNA/PN)
