Trader probed over spy gadgets

Police are investigating the involvement of a Filipino-Chinese businessman — believed to be close to Sen. Panfilo Lacson — in the procurement of P30-million worth of bugging devices during the senator’s stint as head of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF).

Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director Chief Superintendent Nestorio Gualberto said investigators are trying to determine why a certain Simoun Ung had to issue a bank guarantee in favor of the elite police unit for the acquisition of the devices.

"The equipment, not being fully paid, had later become the subject of negotiations with supplier Armstrack Corp. (ATC), Equitable Bank and the PAOCTF group made up of Senior Superintendent Magtanggol Gatdula, Chief Inspector John Lopez and civilian Simoun Ung," Gualberto pointed out in his complaint filed against Lacson and 10 of his men submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman last Friday.

Charges of wiretapping, graft, perjury and malversation were filed with the Ombudsman.

The CIDG said it was also looking into an alleged attempt by the PAOCTF and its local supplier to resell the bugging devices.

"It appears that in order to settle its obligations, the PAOCTF through Mr. Ung, requested and authorized Armstrack to offer the equipment for sale," Gualberto said.

Police are trying to determine the extent of Ung’s involvement in the attempt to resell the equipment, which is in violation of the laws on government property.

"The devices became government property when they were delivered to the PAOCTF on April 28, 2000," Gualberto said.

The police official had earlier disclosed that the PAOCTF used bugging equipment to monitor phone calls by former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson whose expose last year on illegal gambling led to the impeachment of then President Joseph Estrada, Lacson’s benefactor.

The CIDG has so far submitted 42 pieces of evidence, mostly documentary, to show how the PAOCTF had acquired the equipment and monitored perceived government enemies.

Charged with Lacson were Senior Superintendents Michael Ray Aquino, Magtanggol Gatdula, Dioscoro Reyes and Dennis Agaram, Superintendent John Lopez, Chief Inspector Steve Ludan, PO2s Giovanni Belen, Freddie Ferrer and Wendel Arinas, and Army T/Sgt. Arturo Tabang.