President Duterte has threatened to shut down the operations of a courier company and file charges if allegations of mishandling cargoes are proven in an official investigation.
The President has ordered police and revenue authorities to probe the alleged irregularities committed by courier service J&T Express in the wake of “so many complaints.”
The latest directive was issued to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue during the President’s televised address last Tuesday night.
“You better shape up but I’d like you to know that I am ordering it now because the CIDG is listening and the NBI to investigate you at ang BIR to look into your finances. Iyong mga padala, nawawala tapos pagdating, pinapalitan. Wala ng laman,” the President said.
“Because of so many complaints, I will close you down. Sigurado ‘yan, sasarahan talaga kita whether you like it or not after the CIDG and the NBI would finish their investigation and would point a liability sa inyo,” he said.
Duterte said the issue was not just about the alleged mishandling of cargoes but about the “lost cargo or cargo na pinalitan ninyo.”
He has urged the public to go to the police and file complaints against the company. “If I’m satisfied na medyo may kalokohan, ah sasarahan ko kayo and I will file charges also,” he said.
A video showing some couriers alleged mishandling parcels recently went viral on social media, triggering anger from some netizens.
The company, originally based in Indonesia and expanded its operations in the Philippines and other countries, has taken responsibility for what it called an “isolated” incident and vowed to sanction the personnel involved.
“We have received complaints on the mishandling of parcels as shown in a viral video, circulating on social media. We would like to reiterate that we do not tolerate such acts and behavior, and we humbly take responsibility for this incident,” J&T Express said in a post on Twitter last June 22.
The company said they follow strict protocols in the handling of shipments and ensure such cargoes are handled with care.
“We would also like to assure the public that this is an isolated case. All of our facilities, including our branches and warehouses across the country, are under 24/7 monitoring,” it said. (Genalyn Kabiling)
