THE Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has granted the transfer of Mark Taguba, convicted in the 2017 P6.4-billion shabu shipment case, to the House of Representatives detention facility.
On Thursday, the House quad committee requested the transfer of Taguba, citing security threats.
BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. confirmed the decision on Friday, stating it was made with guidance from Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and adhered to existing protocols.
The motion for the transfer was introduced by Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Stephen Paduano during a committee hearing on Wednesday evening.
After the committee’s approval of the motion, panel chairman Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Ace Barbers directed the committee secretary to send a request to BuCor.
Taguba was convicted in connection with the smuggling of 600 kilograms of shabu from China, a case linked to drug operations in Valenzuela City. In November 2018, a Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) sentenced Taguba, along with Eirene Mae Tatad and Dong Yi Shen (alias Kenneth Dong), to life imprisonment and a fine of P500,000 each for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
The court found Taguba instrumental in processing the illegal drug importation, and facilitating its delivery through the Bureau of Customs. Tatad’s EMT Trading acted as the consignee for the shipment, while Dong allegedly facilitated the logistics.
Also, the Manila RTC convicted Taguba and his co-accused for violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, sentencing them up to 40 years in prison and imposing fines amounting to P150 million.
The request for Taguba’s transfer underscores heightened concerns over his safety amid ongoing investigations into the case, which implicated prominent figures, including Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte and other alleged members of the so-called “Davao Group.”
The transfer will remain in effect until the committee concludes its probe or the security threats are resolved.
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