Duterte generally satisfied with Aguirre, except of raps dismissal vs drug lords : Guevarra

April 4, 2018

President Rodrigo Duterte has been generally satisfied with the performance of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, except for recent dismissal of complaints against suspected drug lords, an official said on Wednesday.

Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he was not aware of the reports that Aguirre has been fired. Guevarra said Aguirre was invited to attend this afternoon's cabinet meeting.

"The president has just returned from his Holy Week visit to his hometown, and he has not given any statement regarding this matter," he said.

Asked if Duterte was still satisfied with Aguirre's performance, he said, "He has been generally satisfied with the performance of the Secretary of Justice."

"But well, except for certain debacles that happened to the DOJ recently, the president did not hide his displeasure about certain developments pertaining to the war on drugs ‘no, more specifically the dismissal of charges against certain high profile suspects," he said.

State prosecutors had recommended the dismissal of the complaints against Kerwin Espinosa and Peter Lim, suspected drug lords, for lack of evidence.

The DOJ is now conducting a new probe against the suspects. Celerina Monte/DMS