Hung insists Calvin Tan was shabu lab financier

Calvin Tan masterminded the operation of the mega shabu laboratory in barangay Umapad, Mandaue City even if he never came to Cebu, one of those arrested in the raid on the laboratory reiterated yesterday.

In his cross-examination, Hung Chin Chang - alias Simon Lao, Andy and Anthony Ang - said the setting up of the shabu laboratory was upon Tan's instruction.

Tan's lawyer, Gloria Lastimosa-Dalawampu, asked Hung during the cross-examination if he has proof to show that he was indeed instructed by Tan. However, Hung admitted that the instruction was given verbally but he could present text messages from Tan if the court would allow him to open his cellular phone.

Dalawampu wanted to establish that her client was never part of the discussion to set up the laboratory. Hung admitted that Tan was not present when he and Morteza Tamadoni had a meeting to plan for the setting up of a plastic factory in Cebu which was found out to be a shabu laboratory.

Hung said that he contacted Tamadoni to look for a warehouse in Cebu allegedly upon the order of Tan. "Boss Calvin did not come to Cebu he just sent the nine of us."

Hung denied that Tamadoni was his business partner. According to him, Tamadoni was just helping Tan in the establishment of the laboratory and the purchase of shabu ingredients.

Hung said Tan spent P30 million to set up the laboratory, including the machinery and ingredients. Tan allegedly gave the money to him when they met in Macau.

According to him, he deposited the money in Tan's account at Lanyang Bank in Hong Kong before it was transferred to the account of Joseph Yu at Allied Bank in Cebu.

Hung stressed that although Tan did not personally come to Cebu, he gave instructions through telephone. In fact, it was also allegedly upon Tan's instruction that he used several aliases.

Hung, who was compelled to use aliases upon Tan's order, has been eyed by the government to be admitted as state witness against Tan, tagged as the financier of the busted shabu laboratory. - Fred P. Languido