The Philippine National Police (PNP) will conduct an investigation to unmask those behind the four viral videos so far which accused three members of the Duterte family as benefitting from illegal drugs trade in the country.
But PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde was quick to clarify that there is neither an order from President Duterte nor complaints from four persons who were identified in the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos.
“We will do the initiative to identify this person,” said Albayalde in an interview.
In the four sets of videos, a man who identified himself as “Bikoy” tagged former Davao City Mayor and now congressional candidate Paolo Duterte, President Duterte’s partner Honeylett Avancena, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s husband Mans Carpio and former Special Assistant to the President and now senatorial bet Christopher ‘Bong’ Go as on the take of multi-million drug payola.
“Bikoy”, who claims he used to be a member of an illegal drugs syndicate, also disclosed that Paolo Duterte and Go have a dragon tattoo at the back which carries the code to the illegal drugs syndicate to which they are allegedly affiliated.
Go earlier accepted Bikoy’s dare to show his back to refute the latter’s allegation.
For Albayalde, Bikoy and other persons behind the videos could be held liable for cyberlibel.
“If he has evidence against those he is accusing, he should bring out the evidence and we can even help him file a case against the persons he is accusing of,” said Albayalde.
Bikoy claims to have a paper trail of the deposits and withdrawals made on the accounts of the four persons he had named.
But for as long as Bikoy would not bring his accusation in the proper forum, Albayalde said the uploading of the videos has questionable motives.
First, Albayalde said that any person can make a video and upload it on social media, and make wild accusations against anybody.
“Number two is the timing. This is election period so the timing is indeed highly questionable,” said Albayalde who admitted to have seen only the first part of the video.
“For all you know this might be part of propaganda this coming midterm elections,” he added.
Albayalde said he expects the PNP’s Anti-Cybercrime Group to conduct the probe.
“Slowly, we will get into this,” said Albayalde. (Aaron Recuenco)