Senator Antonio Trillanes has accused Davao Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte of being a member of a drug triad.
This was during Thursday's seventh hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on the smuggling of a P 6.4-billion worth at the Bureau of Customs.
Trilllanes alleged Duterte is "a member of the triad. Ang proof of membership ay ang kanyang tattoo sa likod (the proof of his membership is the tattoo behind his back)."
The senator said he received this information from an intelligence source abroad.
"These were handed to me by a foreign country," he claimed.
The vice mayor and his brother-in-law, Attorney Mans Carpio, attended the hearing.
Trillanes asked Duterte if he could show the alleged tattoo on his back that supposedly had the image of a dragon.
Duterte invoked his right to privacy.
Committee Chairman Richard Gordon cautioned Trillanes against hurling accusations against their resource persons.
"Involvement in a triad is a serious accusation. Be very careful. Everybody has rights here. The chairman intends to protect these rights," Gordon warned.
Trillanes also showed pictures of Duterte, Carpio, Davao City Councilor Small Abellera together with Charlie Tan who had been linked to the drug shipment.
Trillanes also tried to prove through photos that Duterte had travelled with them to China, supposedly indicating their deep ties.
In his initial remark, Duterte had stated he would not reply to questions posed by his accuser, Trillanes.
"I am very sorry but I cannot answer allegations based on hearsay," Duterte maintained.
He recalled Trillanes had previously described the Dutertes as a "family of murderers."
Carpio, for his part, read prepared statement.
"I have no knowledge of or involvement in the illegal drug shipment," he said.
