Trillanes warns security threat as AMLC confirms P319M Chinese remittances to VP Duterte

James Tiozon

Former Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV warned that verified foreign remittances flowing from China into a corporation tied to Vice President Sara Duterte constitute a “clear national security issue” and a potential violation of Philippine law, calling on state authorities to launch an immediate, multi-agency investigation.

In an exclusive interview with Explained PH, Trillanes issued the warning after the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) submitted official bank summaries to the Senate Impeachment Court, confirming that Cale88 Foods Corp.—a company partly owned by the Vice President’s husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio—received more than ₱319 million in inward remittances from mainland China and Hong Kong.

According to AMLC testimony, the agency recorded 143 transaction tranches into Cale88 Foods Corp. totaling ₱319,326,770.41, with ₱315.93 million originating directly from mainland China.

Trillanes expressed satisfaction with the AMLC’s findings, emphasizing that his earlier public disclosures were critical in establishing the broader context of the foreign money trail before official banking summaries were formally admitted into court proceedings.

“Ako po ay natutuwa at nailabas na din finally at na-corroborate ang mga claims ko,” Trillanes told Explained PH. 

“Dahil sa presscon ko nu’ng Friday, mas nauna nalagyan ng mas malawak na context kung ano ba itong Cale88 na ito. Kasi kung ngayon pa lang narinig ang kumpanyang ito for the first time ng mga media at publiko, baka hindi din gaano makuha ang bigat na implications ng inward remittances from China,” he added.

During his press conference in San Juan last October 3, Trillanes highlighted severe operational red flags regarding Cale88 Foods Corp., noting that while the firm claimed to operate as an exporter of banana chips, corporate filings showed a paid-up capital of just ₱125,000 between 2021 and 2025, no reported rank-and-file employees, and monthly utility bills averaging only ₱8,000. 

He argued that such minimal operational overhead is fundamentally incompatible with a functioning manufacturing plant capable of generating hundreds of millions of pesos in legitimate trade revenue.

When asked whether the massive cash flows represent covert foreign influence or pose a threat to national security, the former military officer and senator pointed to statutory bans under Philippine anti-graft laws and the Constitution prohibiting public officials and their immediate families from accepting direct or indirect financial benefits from foreign governments.

“Bukod sa ipinagbabawal sa ating mga batas na tumanggap ang isang public official ng kahit anong pera o donasyon directly or indirectly sa isang foreign country, ito ay maliwanag na national security issue na ito dahil si Sara Duterte ay isang napakataas na opisyal ng gobyerno na nakakaimpluwensya ng mga polisiya ng pamahalaan,” Trillanes emphasized.

He stressed that given Vice President Duterte’s position of authority and influence over government policy, relevant state investigative bodies must act swiftly to examine the full scope and intent of the foreign transactions.

“Kaya dapat imbestigahan ito agad ng iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno,” he added.

The AMLC’s confirmation marks a significant turn in the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Duterte, as legislators and prosecutors examine whether foreign capital injections into family-linked enterprises violate statutory integrity standards and national sovereignty provisions.