House lead prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro over the weekend joined calls for a full-scale investigation into reported remittances from China to Cale88 Foods Corp., a company linked to lawyer Manases Carpio, husband of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, citing potential national security concerns amid continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Luistro said the financial transactions warranted closer scrutiny, particularly because of the Philippines’ territorial dispute with China and the involvement of a company connected to the family of one of the country’s highest officials.
“I honestly believe this is something na kailangang imbestigahan, especially also in-acknowledge na rin ng National Security Council (NSC) ‘yung lalim ng usapin na ito concerning all Filipinos na may dumarating na remittances from China,” Luistro said during the News Forum.
On Saturday, small-scale fisherfolk from Zambales called for a thorough examination of reported remittances totaling more than P319 million from China and Hong Kong to Cale88 Foods Corp., expressing concern over whether foreign interests have been placed ahead of the livelihoods of Filipino fishermen and the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea.
In a manifesto received by Zambales Reps. Jefferson “Jay” F. Khonghun (1st District) and Doris “Bing” E. Maniquiz (2nd District), the fisherfolk appealed to national leaders not to sacrifice their livelihoods and the country’s sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea for money, personal interests, or political favors.
Khonghun and Maniquiz vowed to push for a congressional investigation into the reported transactions to establish the facts and determine whether any foreign or private interests had compromised the rights of Filipino fishermen and the country’s interests in the West Philippine Sea.
Luistro was referring to financial records presented during Duterte’s impeachment trial showing that Cale88 received P319.33 million in remittances from mainland China and Hong Kong.
Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura confirmed the transactions during his testimony last Oct. 5, based on covered and suspicious transaction reports submitted by financial institutions.
Luistro said the transactions should also be examined against the backdrop of continuing tensions between the Philippines and China in the WPS.
“Kasi if we will consider our situation in [WPS], and then one of the highest officials of the land is receiving remittances from that government, hostile according to Tarriela, eh talagang I believe that we have enough basis to initiate a full-blown investigation concerning this national security concern,” Luistro also said.
Luistro was referring to Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela, who has publicly discussed China’s actions in Philippine waters.
The NSC earlier announced that it would examine the reported foreign financial inflows and coordinate with intelligence and investigative agencies to determine whether they posed national security risks.
National Security Adviser Eduardo Oban Jr. said the allegations required careful assessment through established legal processes.
The AMLC records showed that the P319.33 million went into Cale88’s corporate accounts, not directly into the personal accounts of Duterte or Carpio.
Luistro said the issue deserved a separate investigation beyond the unexplained wealth allegations being examined by the Senate impeachment court.