Ex-PNP chiefs concerned over PAGCOR exec’s alleged POGO payroll info
MANILA – Former chiefs of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have expressed concern over
This, after Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) senior vice president for security Raul Villanueva revealed in a Senate hearing on Tuesday that the intelligence community is verifying reports that a former PNP chief was under the payroll of dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo and the illegal POGOs.
In a media interview, dela Rosa said former PNP chiefs, including him, have their own group chat where he was able to read all their concerns about the revelation.
"Tinamaan sila doon (They were affected) because that is a very sweeping statement, and it caused so much concern doon sa mga retired na chief PNP na they are relaxing and living peacefully ay nasasali nanaman sila sa usapan (among the retired PNP chiefs, who are now relaxing and living peacefully, and are being dragged again into a controversy)," dela Rosa said.
He said the information, being unverified in the first place, should not have been divulged in a public hearing.
It did not only created doubts among police officers but also among the public, he said.
"Dapat bago nila nilabas yun, kinonfirm muna, vinalidate nang husto at once validated, dapat alamin talaga kung sino yun at dapat sinabi yung pangalan (Before they released it, they should have confirmed it first, validated it thoroughly and once validated, they should identify and reveal the name)," the top cop-turned senator said.
Dela Rosa, however, admitted that the report may be possible considering the sums of money that POGOs generate.
If it is indeed true, the senator said, the concerned former PNP chief should be revealed and just "face the music" if charged before a court.
"Wala namang exemption dito. Kung nag-violate ka ng batas, harapin mo (There is no exemption here. If you violated the law, face it)," he said.
Dela Rosa said he will try to get more information from Villanueva about the said intelligence report in the next Senate hearing on POGOs.
Marbil orders probe
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil ordered a thorough investigation into the allegation.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has been directed to coordinate with PAGCOR to get more details from the “talks in its intelligence community” about the role of the former PNP chief.
“During the command conference, he said that regardless of who it is, if he would be proven to have a role in the escape and worse received monthly payola, then he would be held accountable. There is no sacred cow in this,” she added.
The problem with it, according to Fajardo, is that Villanueva himself said these are just rumors.
Marbil is the country's 30th top cop. Fajardo said there are 24 living former PNP chiefs.
“We will not lose our focus. We will be coordinating closely with PAGCOR and other agencies for purposes of identifying this individual and if there are pieces of evidence for the filing of cases," said Fajardo.
Ex-top cops speak out
Meanwhile, some former PNP chiefs denied their links to Guo.
In their respective messages to reporters on Wednesday, former PNP chiefs retired Generals Benjamin Acorda, Rodolfo Azurin, and Oscar Albayalde all denied that they received millions worth of payola to help Guo escape the country.
Albayalde said he neither had an encounter nor met Guo at any instance while Azurin said he was never involved in POGO operations.
Acorda, meanwhile, urged Villanueva to identify the person he was referring to.
Azurin also made the same call for Villanueva to name the former chief PNP, noting that he should have not made the statement especially as it is still under verification.
"The PNP is facing so many issues and challenges right now, such irresponsible statement coming from BGen Raul Villanueva is uncalled, baseless preposterous, and unfounded. He should substantiate his innuendos otherwise, CPNP Marbil should file appropriate charges against Raul Villanueva,” he added.
Former senator and top cop Panfilo Lacson said the possible involvement of rogue cops and other government officials in such illegal activities is no longer surprising, considering the extent of Guo’s alleged involvement in POGO operations and her group’s wide influence and connections.
“But to include a former CPNP, if intelligence reports were credible as exposed by the PAGCOR official is not only alarming but reprehensible. All that being said, let me reiterate my appeal to our intelligence and investigation agencies to leave no stone unturned to reach the logical conclusion by filing criminal charges and having all those involved convicted and given the commensurate jail terms that they deserve,” he added. (PNA)
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