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Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy.</s>One of the sons of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has denied involvement in illegal drug smuggling after being linked to a $125m (£95.7m) narcotics shipment.

Paolo Duterte, currently vice mayor of Davao City, told a senate inquiry that claims he helped smuggle drugs from China through a Manila port were "baseless".

But he refused to publicly show or describe a tattoo on his back, which one opposition senator said proved he is a member of a Chinese triad gang.

Paolo Duterte also refused to sign a waiver to allow the search of a bank account said to contain significant cash deposits.

The allegations are embarrassing for President Duterte, who continues to face criticism from human rights groups and Western governments over his bloody war on illegal drugs, which has left thousands dead.

Some of the allegations made against his son came from the President's political opponent, Senator Antonio Trillanes.

President Duterte said over the weekend that Trillanes has been trying to undermine him and his family with baseless allegations, calling the senator a "political Isis" who aims to destroy him but could not offer any shred of evidence.

Paolo Duterte was invited to appear at the Senate hearing alongside the president's son-in-law, lawyer Manases Carpio, after they were mentioned as belonging to an influential group that receives bribes from smugglers operating in Manila and elsewhere.

The inquiry is looking into a $125m shipment of illegal drugs, which slipped into the country through the port of Manila.

"Once and for all, I now have the time to deny any and all baseless allegations thrown against me," Paolo Duterte told the senate hearing on Thursday (7 September).

Carpio, the husband of Sara Duterte, currently the Davao City mayor, said he and his brother-in-law "have been publicly crucified based on rumours and gossips".

At the height of the Senate inquiry, Trillanes accused Paolo Duterte of being a member of the Chinese triad, an organised crime group, citing intelligence he said was provided by a foreign government.

He claimed the young Duterte has a dragon-like tattoo with secret digits on his back that is the mark of a triad gang member.

Paolo Duterte acknowledged he has a tattoo during questioning but refused to show it, citing his right to privacy.

Trillanes also said he has information that the two men have separate bank accounts with huge cash deposits. The pair refused to a sign waivers for Trillanes to investigate the alleged bank accounts.

Ernesto Abella, presidential spokesperson, said the appearance of Duterte and Carpio at the hearing "demonstrates that both gentlemen are willing and ready to face malicious allegations intended to impugn their character and credibility".</s>Paolo Duterte (L) and Manases Carpio (R) denied accusations that they helped facilitate the shipment of crystal methamphetamine worth 6.4 billion pesos ($125.4 million) into the Philippines from China in exchange for payment (AFP Photo/NOEL CELIS)

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's son and son-in-law denied allegations Thursday that they belonged to a drug trafficking gang, with the explosive claims raising questions about the government's bloody anti-narcotics crackdown.

Duterte came to power last year promising to wage a brutal and unprecedented war on drugs. Since then, police have killed around 3,800 suspects in anti-narcotics operations, while thousands of other people have been murdered in unexplained circumstances.

His son Paolo Duterte and son-in-law Manases Carpio appeared at a Senate inquiry Thursday to answer accusations that they helped facilitate the shipment of crystal methamphetamine worth 6.4 billion pesos ($125.4 million) into the Philippines from China in exchange for payment.

The allegations emerged last month when a customs broker told the Senate panel that he had heard the names of Duterte's son and son-in-law mentioned while seeking to expedite the shipment.

The broker later issued a statement clearing the two men of involvement.

But opposition senator Antonio Trillanes at the inquiry accused Duterte's son of belonging to a drug trafficking gang, saying the 42-year-old had a tattoo on his back, resembling a dragon, that was "proof... of his membership" in the gang.

Paolo Duterte, vice-mayor of the southern city of Davao, told the panel that he had a tattoo but said he could not answer allegations based on hearsay.

"The law of karma will operate especially to those with evil intent," he added in a apparent swipe at Trillanes, an arch-critic of the president.

Carpio, who is married to Davao city mayor Sara Duterte, also rejected allegations against their family.

"Me and my brother-in-law have been publicly crucified based on rumours and gossip," said Carpio, a lawyer.

"I have no knowledge of or involvement in the illegal drugs shipment."

The sensational allegations have captured the attention of Filipinos, many of whom back the president's vow to pursue an unrelenting war against drug traffickers.

Duterte, 72, has said he would be "happy to slaughter" three million Filipino drug addicts, even as critics warn the deaths of thousands of people killed in the crackdown may amount to a crime against humanity.

Duterte has denied ever inciting police or vigilantes to commit mass murder.

In speeches, he had encouraged his son to attend the hearing but advised him to invoke his "right of silence".

Detained opposition senator Leila De Lima last month accused the president of hypocrisy over his son's case.

"Let us look at the issue involving the 6.4 billion pesos worth of (illegal drugs) in the Bureau of Customs where the presidential son Paolo Duterte is being implicated," she said.

"(Rodrigo) Duterte has said a mouthful about killing the poor caught with small grams of shabu but his silence on the tonnes of illegal drugs that slipped past customs is deafening."</s>Controversial Philippine President Rodgrigo Duterte’s ramped-up war on drugs is beginning to hit close to home.

Paolo Duterte, the son of the anti-drug Philippine strongman, responded to a Senate inquiry on Thursday into his ties to a $125 million shipment of narcotics. Paolo, who is the vice mayor of Davao, the country's second biggest city, called the allegations “baseless,” according to Reuters.

“I cannot answer allegations based on hearsay,” Paolo Duterte told the Senate.

“My presence here is for the Filipino people and for my fellow Davaoeños whom I serve,” he added.

Critics of President Duterte claim that his son lowered the barrier for entry of the drugs into the port of Manila, the country’s capital, Reuters reported. The elder Duterte, who cut his political teeth as mayor of Davao, reportedly encouraged his son to speak to the Philippines’ Senate investigators if he had nothing to hide — but to remember his right to remain silent.

One of the most high-profile critics of Duterte, Senator Antonio Trillanes, showed pictures to the Senate panel of Paolo standing next to a businessman who is being linked to the drug shipment.

Trillanes also focused on Paolo Duterte’s rumored tattoo — rarely, if ever, seen in public — which he claimed was a “dragon-like” inking on his back that included secret digits and allegedly connected him to a criminal syndicate.

Related: Rodrigo Duterte: What You Need to Know About the Controversial Philippine President

Paolo Duterte admitted to having a tattoo, but declined to show it to investigators or to provide any information about his bank accounts. When asked if he would take a picture of the tattoo and provide it to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, who could decode the secret digits, Duterte provided a simple response.

Besides the president’s son, his son-in-law, Manases Carpio, also stands accused of having links to the drug shipment. He denied any involvement.

President Duterte has faced criticism for the violent methods he has used to crackdown on drugs in his country. According to Human Rights Watch, approximately 7,000 people were killed by the Philippines National Police between June 30, 2016 and January 2017.

The Philippine president has said multiple times that he would resign if his critics could prove he or members of his family participated in corruption, according to Reuters.

Early last month, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met with President Duterte and the two discussed drugs and drug wars. Tillerson offered to provide assistance to combat drug trafficking in the Philippines.

Duterte told Tillerson during the meeting, “I am your humble friend in Southeast Asia” — a remarkable switch from the intense criticism the leader provided President Barack Obama as well as the United States.</s>Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's son and son-in-law denied allegations Thursday that they belonged to a drug trafficking gang, with the explosive claims raising questions about the government's bloody anti-narcotics crackdown.

Duterte came to power last year promising to wage a brutal and unprecedented war on drugs. Since then, police have killed around 3,800 suspects in anti-narcotics operations, while thousands of other people have been murdered in unexplained circumstances.

His son Paolo Duterte and son-in-law Manases Carpio appeared at a Senate inquiry Thursday to answer accusations that they helped facilitate the shipment of crystal methamphetamine worth 6.4 billion pesos ($125.4 million) into the Philippines from China in exchange for payment.

The allegations emerged last month when a customs broker told the Senate panel that he had heard the names of Duterte's son and son-in-law mentioned while seeking to expedite the shipment.

The broker later issued a statement clearing the two men of involvement.

But opposition senator Antonio Trillanes at the inquiry accused Duterte's son of belonging to a drug trafficking gang, saying the 42-year-old had a tattoo on his back, resembling a dragon, that was "proof... of his membership" in the gang.

Paolo Duterte, vice-mayor of the southern city of Davao, told the panel that he had a tattoo but said he could not answer allegations based on hearsay.

"The law of karma will operate especially to those with evil intent," he added in a apparent swipe at Trillanes, an arch-critic of the president.

Carpio, who is married to Davao city mayor Sara Duterte, also rejected allegations against their family.

"Me and my brother-in-law have been publicly crucified based on rumours and gossip," said Carpio, a lawyer.

"I have no knowledge of or involvement in the illegal drugs shipment."

The sensational allegations have captured the attention of Filipinos, many of whom back the president's vow to pursue an unrelenting war against drug traffickers.

Duterte, 72, has said he would be "happy to slaughter" three million Filipino drug addicts, even as critics warn the deaths of thousands of people killed in the crackdown may amount to a crime against humanity.

Duterte has denied ever inciting police or vigilantes to commit mass murder.

In speeches, he had encouraged his son to attend the hearing but advised him to invoke his "right of silence".</s>President's son Paolo Duterte and son-in-law Manases Carpio reject allegations of their involvement in drug shipment.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's son has told a Senate inquiry he had no links to a seized shipment of $125m worth of narcotics from China, dismissing as "baseless" allegations of his involvement in the drug trade.

Opponents of Rodrigo Duterte, who has conducted a crackdown on a trade he says is destroying the country, say they believe his son Paolo may have helped ease the entry of the drug shipment at the port of Manila, the capital.

"I cannot answer allegations based on hearsay," Paolo Duterte, vice mayor of the southern city of Davao, told the Senate on Thursday.

"My presence here is for the Filipino people and for my fellow Davaoenos whom I serve."

On Tuesday Duterte said he had told Paolo to attend the Senate investigation if he had nothing to hide, besides advising him not to answer questions and invoke his right to keep silent.

He was referring to the people of Davao, where his father served as mayor for more than two decades before being elected president in 2016.

Duterte has repeatedly said he would resign if critics could prove any members of his family were involved in corruption.

Senator Antonio Trillanes, a staunch critic of Duterte, showed the Senate panel photographs of Paolo Duterte beside a businessman who was behind the shipment in which the alleged drugs were found.

President Duterte's son-in-law, Manases Carpio, who has also been accused of links to the May drug shipment from China, told the hearing he had no involvement.

Al Jazeera's Jamila Alindogan, reporting from Manila on Thursday, said this was not the first time Duterte's son has been implicated in drug cases.

"There is government documentation as far back as 2007 showing that Paolo Duterte had been implicated by the drug enforcement agency as one of the drug protectors in Davao city, in their hometown in the southern Philippines," she said.

She said many rights groups who oppose Duterte's bloody war on drugs are calling out Paolo Duterte and Carpio for their privilege.

"Here at the Senate hearing, the president's family members are given the chance to explain their side, to read their opening statements, have the best lawyers and basically have due process in court," our correspondent said, pointing out that those who were killed by police officers in impoverished communities were not afforded the same.

"It remains to be seen how this will end and how this will affect the popularity of the president," she said.

Trillanes said he had intelligence information from an undisclosed foreign country that Paolo Duterte was a member of a criminal syndicate, citing as proof a "dragon-like" tattoo with secret digits on his back.

Asked about the tattoo, Duterte said he had one, but declined to describe it, invoking his right to privacy.

Asked by Trillanes if he would allow a photograph to be taken of the tattoo and sent to the US Drug Enforcement Agency to decode the secret digits, Duterte said: "No way".

He refused to respond to questions about his bank accounts, calling them "irrelevant".

Ernesto Abella, presidential spokesperson, said the attendance of Duterte and Carpio "demonstrates that both gentlemen are willing and ready to face malicious allegations intended to impugn their character and credibility".

Duterte won last year's elections after promising an unprecedented crackdown to eradicate drugs, which eventually led to tens of thousands of deaths.

Since then police have reported killing 3,800 people in anti-drug operations, with thousands of other people murdered in unexplained circumstances.

Police reject activists' allegations that they are executing suspected drug users and dealers and say officers shoot only in self-defence.

Duterte has said he would be "happy to slaughter" three million Filipino drug addicts, and that he would pardon police if they were found guilty of murder for killing as part of his drug war.

But he has denied ever inciting police or vigilantes to commit mass murder.</s>Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s son has told a Senate inquiry he had no links to a seized shipment of $125m worth of narcotics from China, dismissing as “baseless” allegations of his involvement in the drug trade.

Opponents of Rodrigo Duterte, who has conducted a crackdown on a trade he says is destroying the country, say they believe his son Paolo may have helped ease the entry of the drug shipment at the port of Manila, the capital.

“I cannot answer allegations based on hearsay,” Paolo Duterte, vice mayor of the southern city of Davao, told the Senate on Thursday.

“My presence here is for the Filipino people and for my fellow Davaoenos whom I serve.”

On Tuesday Duterte said he had told Paolo to attend the Senate investigation if he had nothing to hide, besides advising him not to answer questions and invoke his right to keep silent.

He was referring to the people of Davao, where his father served as mayor for more than two decades before being elected president in 2016. Duterte has repeatedly said he would resign if critics could prove any members of his family were involved in corruption.

Senator Antonio Trillanes, a staunch critic of Duterte, showed the Senate panel photographs of Paolo Duterte beside a businessman who was behind the shipment in which the alleged drugs were found.

President Duterte’s son-in-law, Manases Carpio, who has also been accused of links to the May drug shipment from China, told the hearing he had no involvement.

Al Jazeera’s Jamila Alindogan, reporting from Manila yesterday, said this was not the first time Duterte’s son has been implicated in drug cases.

“There is government documentation as far back as 2007 showing that Paolo Duterte had been implicated by the drug enforcement agency as one of the drug protectors in Davao city, in their hometown in the southern Philippines,” she said.

She said many rights groups who oppose Duterte’s bloody war on drugs are calling out Paolo Duterte and Carpio for their privilege.

“Here at the Senate hearing, the president’s family members are given the chance to explain their side, to read their opening statements, have the best lawyers and basically have due process in court,” our correspondent said, pointing out that those who were killed by police officers in impoverished communities were not afforded the same.

“It remains to be seen how this will end and how this will affect the popularity of the president,” she said.

Trillanes said he had intelligence information from an undisclosed foreign country that Paolo Duterte was a member of a criminal syndicate, citing as proof a “dragon-like” tattoo with secret digits on his back.

Asked about the tattoo, Duterte said he had one, but declined to describe it, invoking his right to privacy.

Asked by Trillanes if he would allow a photograph to be taken of the tattoo and sent to the US Drug Enforcement Agency to decode the secret digits, Duterte said: “No way”.-Al Jazeera</s>President Rodrigo Duterte’s son, Paolo Duterte, faces the Senate and denies allegations that he is involved in drug smuggling. The case captivates the nation in the midst of a brutal war on drugs. Ana P. Santos reports....
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• Colombian crime gang willing to surrender - president DW World (2 days ago) - Colombia's president says the notorious Golfo Clan is ready to disband after a 25-year campaign...</s>Paolo Duterte, son of Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, has denied allegations that he is connected with an international drug cartel that attempted to ship $125 million-worth of drugs into the country.

Paolo Duterte testified before a Senate inquiry Thursday and claimed he had no links to multimillion-dollar shipment of shabu (slang for crystal methamphetamine in parts of southeast Asia) from China to Manila in May, describing such allegations as "baseless."

"My presence here is for the Filipino people and for my fellow Davaoeños whom I serve," Duterte said, as cited by Reuters, referring to the people of Davao, where his father served as mayor for more than 20 years before his election as president in 2016.

Senator Antonio Trillanes, one of President Duterte's most vociferous opponents, showed photographs of the president's son beside the businessman alleged to be responsible for importing the shipment of drugs.

He also cited unspecified foreign intelligence that Paolo Duterte is a member of a crime syndicate while alluding to a "dragon-like" tattoo on his back as proof.

"I cannot answer allegations based on hearsay," Paolo Duterte, the vice mayor of the southern city of Davao, told the Senate as cited by Reuters.

When asked if a photograph could be taken of the tattoo and sent to the US Drug Enforcement Agency for analysis, he simply replied, "No way."

His sister, and Davao City Mayor, Sara Duterte took to Facebook to ridicule the line of questioning.

Trillanes also pressed alleged co-conspirator Maneses Carpio and his wife Sara Duterte, daughter of the president, about their private bank accounts which he alleges contain over $2.3 million. Both declined to answer questions citing the right to financial privacy.

“Anyway, if I am wrong the whole world will laugh at me,” Trillanes said, as cited by The Philippines Inquirer.

One of the hallmarks of President Duterte’s time in office has been the extremely violent crackdown on both drug users and drug dealers. Official records show that more than 3,800 people have died in police raids since July 2016, though Human Rights Watch claims the figure is closer to 7,000.

President Duterte has vowed to resign if his critics could prove any of his family members were involved in corruption. However, he is known to have made about turns on controversial statements made in the past.

READ MORE: ‘We cannot destroy mosques’: Duterte makes a U-turn on his controversial mosque bombing statement</s>Paolo Duterte, son of Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, has denied allegations that he is connected with an international drug cartel that attempted to ship $125 million-worth of drugs into the country."My presence here is for the Filipino people and for my fellow Davaoeños whom I serve," Duterte said, as cited by Reuters, referring to the people of Davao, where his father served as mayor for more than 20 years before his election as president in 2016.Senator Antonio Trillanes, one of President Duterte's most vociferous opponents,"I cannot answer allegations based on hearsay," Paolo Duterte, the vice mayor of the southern city of Davao, told the Senate as cited by Reuters.When asked if a photograph could be taken of the tattoo and sent to the US Drug Enforcement Agency for analysis, he simply replied, "No way."His sister, and Davao City Mayor, Sara Duterte took to Facebook to ridicule the line of questioning.Trillanes also pressed alleged co-conspirator Maneses Carpio and his wife Sara Duterte, daughter of the president, about their private bank accounts which he alleges contain over $2.3 million. Both declined to answer questions citing the right to financial privacy."Anyway, if I am wrong the whole world will laugh at me," Trillanes said, as cited by The Philippines Inquirer. One of the hallmarks of President Duterte's time in office has been the extremely violent crackdown on both drug users and drug dealers. Official records show that more than 3,800 people have died in police raids since July 2016, though Human Rights Watch claims the figure is closer to 7,000.President Duterte has vowed to resign if his critics could prove any of his family members were involved in corruption. However, he is known to have made about turns on controversial statements made in the past.
The Philippine Senate investigates Paolo Duterte, the son of current Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, in an alleged methamphetamine smuggling scandal.