President Duterte has cleared a retired police general who was among those tagged by self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa as one of his protectors in the illegal drugs trade.
Speaking before graduates of a motorcycle course of the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group in Davao City Friday, the Chief Executive said investigation showed that former Police Regional Office 8 Director now retired Chief Supt. Asher Dolina is “clean.”
Dolina, who served as Eastern Visayas police chief in 2015, was named by Espinosa during a Senate hearing as among those who received drug protection money from him.
The President cleared Dolina but said that controversial PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Region 8 chief Supt. Marvin Marcos is tainted after a thorough investigation. “Doon ko nalaman si (Asher) Dolina malinis. Si Marcos may tama,” he said.
He repeated the statement in an interview with CNN Philippines in which the President admitted that it was he, not his top aide Christopher “Bong” Go, who spoke to PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” M. dela Rosa about retaining Marcos as head of the CIDG in Region 8.
Dela Rosa had relieved Marcos from his post following the killing of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., the father of Kerwin, recently.
“Ganito yan, si Bong inorderan ko, call. By the time pinasa niya, ang sumagot si Dela Rosa,” said Duterte. “Sabi ko, do not remove the guy because kasali yan sa…I am doing an investigative job…Natapos na ‘yun…si Dolina was cleared. Marcos, positive. Kasi I was keeping track of his movements. Alisin mo ako doon, mawala bigla ang…Mawala lahat. Hindi ko masundan,” the President added.
Dolina has denied the young Espinosa’s claim and said that he does not know why he is being linked to illegal drugs.
Duterte said Marcos has to face charges now that he is tainted. “He has to face the charges. But nga-yon, pwede nang…Let him maintain the right to be heard.” (Elena L. Aben)
