MANILA: The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested businessman Davidson Bangayan, known as alleged rice smuggling king David Tan, after he appeared before the Senate for the rice smuggling probe.
NBI agents nabbed Bangayan when he stepped out of the Senate building after the hearing. Bangayan was arrested in connection with a pilferage offense filed before the Caloocan City Trial Court in 2009. Bangayan was cited for contempt by Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food for “lying” about being the same person as Tan during the hearing.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima then said before the Senate panel that Bangayan would be apprehended for pilfering electricity, an arrest warrant for which was issued against David Tan.
De Lima said Bangayan had to be carrying Tan’s identity a few years back. DOJ has a witness from the Manila Electric Co alleging that Tan and Bangayan are the same person.
Senator Cynthia Villar, meanwhile, asked De Lima to place Bangayan on the DOJ watch list and suggested that the Department of Foreign Affairs be asked to cancel his passport.
The Philippine Star
