MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday called for an investigation into the supposed confirmation of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) that a company linked to Vice President Sara Duterte has received millions in cash from China.
Speaking in Filipino, Teodoro said that "if there was prima facie evidence, which the AMLC said there was, then there was a need to investigate the matter thoroughly because there were implications that could influence government processes."
"This is why we are expecting out law enforcement to investigate this properly and take immediate action," said Teodoro.
Teodor's statement comes after AMLC Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura confirmed during Tuesday’s impeachment proceedings that CALE88 Foods Corp., owned by Duterte’s husband Manases Carpio allegedly received funds amounting to over P319 million from China.
The AMLC official's disclosure matches the figure provided by former senator Sonny Trillanes during a press briefing last Friday where he disclosed evidence of the Duterte family’s supposed questionable financial transactions.
The National Security Council (NSC) said it was taking the information seriously.
“While the proceedings remain ongoing and the information presented should be properly examined within established legal processes, the reported transactions and any credible information involving significant foreign financial flows that may bear upon the country's national security warrants careful, in-depth, and responsible assessment,” the NSC said in a statement.
