MANILA: Faeldon accuses Gordon of ‘inhumane treatment’

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MANILA, Philippines — Detained former Customs chief Nicanor Faeldon has accused Sen. Richard Gordon of inflicting “cruel, degrading and inhumane punishment” against him.

Faeldon has been in detention for contempt since September after refusing to attend the Senate inquiry into the P6.4-billion shabu shipment from China. He said he doubted the impartiality of some members of the Senate blue ribbon committee conducting the probe.

The former Customs chief listed Gordon’s “cruel punishment” against him, such as the senator’s refusal to allow him to visit his family during the holidays, deprivation of his right to be examined by his doctor due to his heart condition and deprivation of his right to religious practices.

The senator also denied his request to take his oath of office before Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, which is scheduled on January 10. Faeldon, who resigned over the smuggling scandal, has been appointed to the Office of Civil Defense.

Faeldon said Gordon also deprived him of his right to be present at the birth of his youngest child.

Faeldon added that he had been warned that his visitation rights, as well as electricity and water in his detention room, would be cut off if he would release this statement.

“Go ahead, Senator Gordon. Kick me and punish me some more, if that makes you a bigger man,” Faeldon said in a press statement.

The former Customs chief further claimed that Gordon was punishing him upon the order of a “cement-smuggler” senator who vowed vengeance against him.

Faeldon did not name the senator but in August last year, he accused Sen. Panfilo Lacson and his son of smuggling cement.

READ: Faeldon hits back, accuses Lacson’s son of smuggling

“I thought that Senator Gordon was man enough to stand up to the cement-smuggler senator. I was wrong again,” Faeldon said.

He added that he expected “extreme cruelty” from Lacson and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV but not from Gordon.

Faeldon questioned his continued detention when he had won the charges against him before the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III earlier said that Faeldon will remain in detention until he cooperates with the senators by answering questions in the shabu smuggling issue.

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