QuadComm seeks to detain Mark Taguba in House due to security threats

The House of Representatives Quad Committee has approved a motion to temporarily detain Bureau of Customs “fixer” Mark Taguba at the House detention facility due to security threats if the Bureau of Corrections would allow.

The motion was made by Abang Lingkod Party-list Representative Stephen Paduano during the panel’s hearing on Wednesday evening. 

“Because of security threat, may I move Mr. Chairman that we request the BuCor, through Usec. Gregorio Catapang, for Mr. Taguba to be transferred in the House Sergeant-at-Arms until the Quad Committee has completed its investigation or until the perceived threats for Mr. Taguba are fully eliminated,” Paduano moved. 

The motion was duly seconded in the commitee.

“I, the chair, direct the [committee secretary] to communicate to the BuCor head, General Catapang,  regarding the transfer of Mr. Mark Taguba to the House of Representatives detention facility,” said QuadComm chairperson and Surigao del Norte 2nd district Representative Ace Barbers. 

Taguba was among those convicted in connection to the P6.4 billion shabu shipment from China in 2017 that was discovered in Valenzuela City. 

He and two others were sentenced to life imprisonment on November 19 in relation to the shabu shipment. 

During the hearing, Taguba emotionally claimed his innocence. 

“Napakahirap po talaga kasi ang tingin ng mga tao sa akin, drug lord ako [...] Ang hirap, mabuti sana kung ginawa ko talaga. Kung mayroon man akong kasalanan, ayun po yung sa ‘tara’ system. Totoo naman po talaga ‘yun,” he tearfully told the panel. 

(It’s very hard for me because people think that I’m a drug lord [...] It’s really hard especially if I did not do it. If I did something wrong, that was the ‘tara’ system. That’s true.) 

“Yung shabu hindi ko po talaga ginawa ‘yan. Hindi ko po gagawin ‘yan kailanman,” he added. 

(But the one regarding the shabu, I was not involved in that. I will never be involved in that.)

Tagbuba and two others were sentenced to life imprisonment last November 19 in relation to the shabu shipment.  —with Bea Pinlac/NB, GMA Integrated News