Duterte need not explain Aquino’s removal from PDEA, Palace says

May 28, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte does not need to explain his decision to transfer former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Aaron Aquino to another post despite his "war on drugs," Malacañang said on Thursday.

In a virtual press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the issue of appointment is a presidential prerogative.

"The President does not have to explain why," he said.

Aquino was appointed as president and CEO of the state-run Clark International Airport Corporation.

He was replaced by Northern Mindanao PDEA head Wilkins M. Villanueva.

"General Aaron Aquino was simply given a new and more challenging position and, of course, we welcome the new Director General Wilkins Villanueva who also comes to the job with impeccable credentials," Roque said.

The Duterte administration has been criticized for his bloody war on illegal drugs after thousands of drug suspects have been killed since it launched the intensified campaign in July 2016. Celerina Monte/DMS