PRESIDENT Duterte has authorized the release of a “dossier” on the alleged involvement of several law enforcement officers in the illegal drugs trade under the guise of government operations.
Seven policemen, including dismissed Senior Supt. Eduardo Acierto and sacked Philippine Enforcement Drug Agency Deputy Director General for Administration Ismael Fajardo Jr., were implicated in the “matrix” released by the President last Tuesday.
“The dossier is there, you can have it,” the President told Palace reporters in Malacañang last Tuesday. “Iyan basin ninyo. Dine-classify ko ‘yan,” he said, giving the media a copy of the 15-page “secret” file.
Other cops identified in the President’s matrix were Senior Supt. Leonardo Suan, Supt. Lorenzo Bacia, Insp. Lito Pirote, Insp. Conrado Caragdag, and SPO4 Alejandro Liwanag.
He noted that Acierto was allegedly involved in the anomalous purchase of 1,004 AK-47 rifles that landed in the possession of communist rebels.
The dossier, dated Sept. 12, was titled “Special report re: Involvement of high ranking law enforcement officials in the country’s illegal drugs trade.”
The document claimed that the concerned personalities have allegedly created networks with drugs lords here and abroad as well as engaged in recycling of illegal drugs and extortion of some people, including Chinese, under the guise of legitimate operations.
The Philippine National Police on Wednesday vowed that it will conduct a thorough investigation on the alleged involvement of seven active and retired police officers in illegal activities after their inclusion in the drug matrix released by Duterte.
“Since their names were given already to the public, definitely an investigation, not only counter-investigation, but an investigation will be done to look into that report,” Chief Supt. Benigno Durana Jr., PNP spokesperson, said.
Acierto, who was on top of the matrix, was one of seven cops ordered dismissed by PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde last August 2018 after their alleged involvement in the anomalous issuance of AK-47 rifle licenses from 2011 to 2013 that supposedly ended up in the hands of New People’s Army in Mindanao.
He was also said to be the mentor of Fajardo, who was then relieved in September 2018 as PDEA’s second highest official, due to his alleged involvement in the smuggling of P6.8-billion worth of shabu smuggling case. (Genalyn D. Kabiling with a report from Martin A. Sadongdong)
