Generals to Duterte: We're not involved in illegal drugs
(3rd UPDATE) Two generals previously assigned in Metro Manila say they're willing to undergo lifestyle checks
Rappler.com
DENIALS. In this file photo, Quezon City Police District director PCSupt. Edgardo Tinio (left) accepts the command flag from NCRPO and outgoing QCPD director PCSupt. Joel Pagdilao on July 30, 2015. File photo by Ben Nabong/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) – Police generals linked by President Rodrigo Duterte to the illegal drugs trade on Tuesday, July 5, denied his allegations, saying they're willing to take a lie detector test and undergo a lifestyle check to prove their innocence.
In an interview on dzMM hours after President Duterte's bombshell, former Quezon City Police District (QCPD) chief Edgardo Tinio said he can face the President, look him in the eye, and tell the Chief Executive, "I am not involved in any shenanigans, I am not involved in any nefarious activities….I am not involved in the drug trade," he said.
Tinio, who had been QCPD director for 11 months until the revamp ordered by the new PNP chief on July 1, said his primary goal now is to clear his name. "Ang importante sa akin ngayon malinis ko ang aking pangalan. I still have one year and 6 months to go sa serbisyo. Once na malinis ko ang aking pangalan, ako ay mag-e-early retirement na," he said.
(What's important to me now is that I clear my name. I still have one year and 6 months to go in the PNP. Once I clear my name, I will opt for early retirement.)
Tinio said he's willing to undergo a lie detector test and a lifestyle check to prove his innocence.
Chief Superintendent Joel Pagdilao, former National Capital Region Police Office chief, also insisted he is "not a protector of illegal drugs." He said he was saddened by the President's accusations.
"Sa aking almost 32 years sa service, hindi ako nagkaroon ng ano mang bahid sa paglilingkod sa aking trabaho," Pagdilao told TV Patrol.
(In my 32 years in service, my work has never been tainted.)
Asked if, like Tinio, he's willing to undergo a lifestyle check, Pagdilao said: "Yes, nakahanda kung ano man ang imbestigasyon. Handa kong ipagtanggol ang aking sarili at ang pangalan ng Pagdilao." (Yes, whatever the investigation takes. I am ready to defend myself and my family name.)
The elder brother of Pagdilao, Samuel, ran for the Senate – but lost – in the last elections.
It was Tinio who replaced Pagdilao as QCPD chief when the latter was promoted to head the entire police force of Metro Manila last year.
Diaz's 'personal reasons'
Also interviewed on DZMM, another general named by Duterte, former Western Visayas police chief Chief Superintendent Bernardo Diaz, said: "Bukas na bukas mag-re-report ako kay Director General (Ronald) Dela Rosa." (I will report to Director General Dela Rosa first thing in the morning.)
Diaz also cited his “personal reasons” to prove that he abhors illegal drugs – a younger brother who had to go to a rehabilitation center thrice to cure his addiction; a male cousin who died because of substance abuse; and another cousin, a 21-year-old woman, who was killed by a drug addict.
PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said he will begin a probe into Tinio, Pagdilao and Diaz, all still in active-duty even if relieved from their posts. (READ: PNP chief to probe generals linked to drug trade)
Pagdilao and Diaz are 1984 graduates of the Philippine Military Academy, the class that has as one of its "adopted" classmates defeated presidential candidate Manuel "Mar" Roxas II.
The two retired police officials named by Duterte are former Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo Jr and Vic Loot, now mayor of the town of Daanbantayan, Cebu. Garbo is also associated with Roxas and was nominated to become PNP chief when Roxas was interior secretary. – Rappler.com
PHILIPPINES
Duterte names alleged police generals in drug trade
(7th UPDATE) President Rodrigo Duterte says he is compelled by his 'sense of duty' to divulge their identities
FIGHT VS DRUGS. President Rodrigo Duterte drops a bombshell at the Philippine Air Force anniversary in Clark Freeport, Pampanga, on July 5, 2016. Photo by Rey S. Baniquet/Malacanang/PPD
PAMPANGA, Philippines (7th UPDATE) – Saying he was "compelled by a sense of duty," President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, July 5, named 5 police generals allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.
"I am compelled by my sense of duty to tell you the police who contributed to deterioration of law and order in this country," he said at the 69th anniversary of the Philippine Air Force in Clark Freeport.
He identified the 5 as: retired Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo Jr, former National Capital Region Police Office director Chief Superintendent Joel Pagdilao, former Quezon City Police District Office director Chief Superintendent Edgardo Tinio, former Western Visayas police chief Chief Superintendent Bernardo Diaz, and Vic Loot, who is now mayor of Daanbantayan, Cebu.
"As this time, I order them relieved from their assignments and report to the (Philippine National Police) Director General who would like to talk to them but certainly I would expect the police commission to do their thing. Investigate niyo ito at 'wag niyo akong bigyan ng zarzuela. Hanapin ninyo ang totoo. (Investigate them, don't give me a farce. Search for the truth)," he said.
Watch Duterte's speech here:
The generals denied the President's allegations, saying they're willing to be investigated to prove their innocence. (READ: Generals to Duterte: We're not involved in illegal drugs)
Pagdilao, Tinio, and Diaz are still in active service but were relieved from their posts on July 1, when PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa assumed command of the police force and implemented a revamp.
Pagdilao and Diaz are 1984 graduates of the Philippine Military Academy, the class that has as one of its "adopted" mistahs (classmates) defeated presidential candidate and former interior secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II.
Garbo, on the other hand, was once considered for PNP chief when Roxas was interior secretary. Garbo was even endorsed to the position by former Senate President Franklin Drilon.
Diaz was among the police generals seen in a hotel at the height of the May elections campaign, the same hotel where Roxas' campaign staff were also seen meeting. Diaz was at the time police chief of Western Visayas, a bailiwick of Roxas.
Loot is the newly elected mayor of Daanbantayan in Cebu. He won by 7 votes over a Roxas ally. (READ: Incumbent mayor who won by 7 votes won't concede)
Dela Rosa said he was surprised by the President's statements but vowed to investigate the officials. (READ: PNP chief to probe generals named by Duterte)
News in Davao
Duterte said that even when he was still Davao City mayor, he had been hearing the names of police generals allegedly involved in the drug trade.
Duterte lamented that the education of these police officers and others allegedly like them were funded by taxpayers' money, but they turned to drug trafficking that destroy people's lives.
"Masakit pakinggan kasi ginastusan mo na, pinag-aral, lahat ng uniporme, pati medyas, sapatos gastos mo, tapos (It hurts because you spent on them, sent them to school, from uniforms, socks, shoes, and) you commit, by any language, it is really treason," he said.
As for other government officials allegedly involved in illegal drugs, Duterte said there is an ongoing investigation on this.
"It's going to be a dirty fight. It's going to be bloody fight," Duterte warned. "I am not apologizing for it."
He reiterated that he is assuming "full legal responsibility for it."
"I am not ready yet with the other branches of government, agencies like Customs – I still have to validate, but I already have the raw information," Duterte said.
Interviewed on DZMM, Diaz said, "Bukas na bukas magrereport ako kay Director General (Ronald) Dela Rosa (I will report to Director General Dela Rosa first thing in the morning)."
Diaz also cited his "personal reasons" to prove that he abhors illegal drugs – a younger brother who had to go to a rehabilitation center thrice to cure his addiction; a male cousin who died because of substance abuse; and another cousin, a 21-year-old woman, who was killed by a drug addict.
Pagdilao, in an interview aired on DZMM, also denied Duterte's allegations.
"Wala pong katotohanan na ako ay protektor ng mga sindikato (There is no truth to the accusation that I protect drug syndicates)," he said.
The former NCR police director also said he is ready to submit to any investigation and defend his name. – Rappler.com
PHILIPPINES
PNP chief to probe generals linked to drug trade
'I have a heavy heart receiving this information but I have a job to do,' says PNP Director General Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa after President Duterte announces names of policemen supposedly helping drug syndicates
JOB TO DO. PNP chief Bato Dela Rosa says he will investigate the alleged involvement of police generals named by President Duterte
PAMPANGA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa will investigate the 5 police generals who President Rodrigo Duterte accuses of involvement in the illegal drug trade.
“Since they are already identified by the President, we have to conduct investigation on them. As for the retired, we will pursue a case against them if we are able to gather enough evidence,” said Dela Rosa.
He spoke to media right after Duterte’s speech at the 69th anniversary of the Philippine Air Force on Wednesday, July 5 in Clark Airbase, Pampanga.
The 5 linked by the President to drugs are retired Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo Jr, former National Capital Region Police Office director Chief Superintendent Joel Pagdilao, former Quezon City Police District Office director Chief Superintendent Edgardo Tinio, former Region 11 police chief Chief Superintendent Bernardo Diaz, and Vic Loot, who is now mayor of Daanbantayan, Cebu.
The generals denied the President's allegations.
As PNP chief, Dela Rosa said he accepts Duterte’s instruction with a “heavy heart.”
“I have a heavy heart receiving this information but I have a job to do. I am the chief PNP so I have to do my job…As much as I don’t want to hurt my upperclasssmen, I have a duty to perform to the Filipino people,” he said.
Of the 5, three are still on active duty: Pagdilao, Tinio, and Diaz. Dela Rosa said they have been relieved of duty since July 1. They await investigation in Camp Crame.
Dela Rosa is now waiting for the 3 to report to him, as instructed by Duterte in his speech. Being active police officers, they will be held “administratively liable” if they do not do as told.
“Hintayin ko kung kailan sila magreport. Kung ayaw nila sumunod sa order ng presidente, ‘yung mga active, they will be liable administratively,” Dela Rosa told reporters.
(I will wait for them to report. If they don’t follow the order of the president, they will be liable administratively.)
Ties with Roxas
Pagdilao and Diaz are 1984 graduates of the Philippine Military Academy, the class that has as one of its "adopted" mistahs (classmates) defeated presidential candidate and former interior secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II.
Garbo, on the other hand, was once considered for PNP chief when Roxas was interior secretary. Garbo was even endorsed to the position by former Senate President Franklin Drilon.
Diaz was among the police generals seen in a hotel at the height of the May elections campaign, the same hotel where Roxas' campaign staff were also seen meeting. Diaz was at the time police chief of Western Visayas, a bailiwick of Roxas.
Dela Rosa said the involved policemen can “report to me anytime of the day.” He also gave assurances that he would “hear their side.”
As for the two who are retired, Garbo and Loot, Dela Rosa said he cannot compel them to report because they are not under his jurisdiction. But with enough evidence, they can be tried in court as civilian offenders.
“‘Yung mga retired, they will be treated as plain civilian offenders. They will go through the usual process. Kailangan mo ng ebidensiya, kung mayroon, file-an mo ng case,” said Dela Rosa.
(As for the retired, they will be treated as plain civilian offenders. They will go through the usual process. You need evidence. If you have it, file a case.)
‘Did not expect’ announcement
Apparently, even Dela Rosa was not expecting the president’s explosive announcement.
“No, I did not expect that. I am just hoping na siya ang magdivulge. (I was just hoping he would be the one to divulge.),” he said.
Dela Rosa can’t say for certain if Duterte will be announcing more names soon.
In fact, he said he wishes there would be no more lists.
“Huwag naman sana. Kawawa na kami kung masyadong maraming pangalan. But as I said we are very transparent. Ilalabas namin kung may magcrop up na pangalan,” he said.
(I hope not. The police force will be pitiful if there are too many names. but as I said, we are very transparent. We will divulge whatever name crops up.)
Duterte had said even before his oath-taking as president that he would publicly name police generals involved in the drug trade.
Dela Rosa did not clearly explain if he helped put the list of names together, telling reporters, “Galing kay presidente lahat ‘yan.” (That’s all from the president.)
But in the days leading to his assumption of command as PNP chief, he had already been warning policemen to come clean or face consequences. – Rappler.com