PNP says it will still validate if Duterte’s ex-adviser linked to drugs

March 27, 2019

Philippine National Police (PNP) General Oscar Albayalde said they will validate if President Rodrigo Duterte’s former adviser is really linked to illegal drugs.

“The President did not stop us or did not tell us to stop our validation. There is no harm in validating. There is no harm if we validate to boost the statement of the president and even the ambassador of China (Zhao Jianhua), ” Albayalde said.

“And as I have said yesterday, as of this time we don’t have information whatsoever that Michael Yang is involved in any illegal activity particularly on illegal drugs,” he added.

In his speech Tuesday night, Duterte said it’s impossible for Yang to be involved in illegal drugs if he is connected with the ambassador.

“Will the (Chinese) ambassador (Zhao Jianhua) agree to go with him (if he’s involved in drugs)?” said Duterte.

Albayalde said the PNP Directorate for Intelligence are looking into the information given by Acierto.

“With that statement, it's automatic the DI will conduct information gathering. It does not need a formal order if there is really an issue like that,” he said.

Albayalde added they will start their information gathering from the allegations of Acierto.

“In fact as you have said he is saying something about operation. We can start from there also. We will verify if those operations are true or not,” he said.

In regards with the drug matrix released by Acierto, Albayalde said he will have to check that.

Albayalde said the president is probably mad at Acierto for speaking to him without enough evidence.

“As I said, sometimes when we are mad at someone we don’t take any other meaning from it. Sometimes we showed our emotions when we are mad. Probably his angry because ex-Colonel Acierto (went) directly to the president,” he explained.

“It’s not good that you went to him without evidence and yet you are talking. You could just imagine you are destroying the reputation of no less than the President of the Republic,” he added.

He made the statement after Duterte asked the police and military why Acierto is still alive.

“Do not believe that, especially Acierto. I asked the military and police, why is he still alive?” said Duterte.

Dismissed cop Eduardo Acierto said Malacanang and the law enforcement agencies ignored his intelligence information about the alleged involvement of Yang and a certain Allan Lim in illegal drugs.

Albayalde said former PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa did not turnover such documents to him. Ella Dionisio/DMS