The Philippine National Police is conducting background checks on more police officers allegedly involved in drugs and the chief of the PNP said yesterday that that there could be a second wave of revelation from President Duterte soon.
Director General Ronald dela Rosa, PNP chief, said Duterte has a wide array of intelligence reports both coming from local and foreign agencies that focus on illegal drugs activities in the Philippines.
“There may be more on the list of the President. But I don’t want to divulge those additional information,” said Dela Rosa, nicknamed “Bato” for his muscular build, yesterday.
Duterte disclosed on Tuesday the names of five active and retired generals whom he said are involved in illegal drugs activities in the Philippines. They are former National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Joel D. Pagdilao, former Quezon City Police District Director Chief Supt. Edgardo G. Tinio, former Western Visayas police director Chief Supt. Bernardo Diaz, retired Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo, and retired Chief Supt. now Daang Bantayan, Cebu Mayor Vicente Loot.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Mike Sueno said he has created a special investigation team in the National Police Commission where he sits as a chairman to look into Duterte’s revelation.
Dela Rosa met Diaz, Tinio, and Pagdilao in Camp Crame, Quezon City yesterday and advised them to face the Napolcom investigation.
“My observation is that I think he (Duterte) will announce more names. Just wait for it,” said Dela Rosa.
Dela Rosa said he believes the intelligence reports about the five retired and retired generals are validated, explaining that Duterte being a lawyer and a former mayor makes him very prudent against police officials.
Duterte is reportedly waiting for additional details and validation of the intelligence reports he has been receiving against the other police officials involved before identifying them.
One of Duterte’s sources of information is reportedly the United States Drug Enforcement Agency that has trained its eyes on illegal drugs trafficking in Asia.
Dela Rosa would not confirm if the US DEA played a key role in the validation of the reports about the alleged involvement of the five generals.
But he said the Philippines has been sharing intelligence information with their foreign counterparts.
Dela Rosa said that the President has a list not only of police generals but also other police officers down to the rank of PO1. “He has a long list. The list includes a lot of PO1s,” said Dela Rosa. (AARON B. RECUENCO)