PNP says they did not force Advincula to change statement

June 4, 2019

The Philippine National Police ( PNP) on Tuesday said they did not pressure or force Peter Joemel Advincula or alias ''Bikoy'' to retract his statement against the administration.

"If he signed an affidavit, then we could have just file the case... he is not being pressured. In fact, after he posted bail , he was freed," Police General Oscar Albayalde said in a TV interview.

Albayalde said it was Advincula who voluntarily return to PNP-Crime Investigation and Detection Group ( CIDG) after posting bail.

"He voluntarily went to CIDG. Nobody forced him together with his lawyer," said the head of the PNP.

Albayalde reiterated there is nothing new in presenting Advincula to the media as the PNP does the same to other suspects.

"What so different (from) those suspects we presented and they are lambasting the PNP...? I don't think there is a difference," he said.

"It's because what he said has something to do with politics. Some people were hurt or (may be) involved in what he is saying," he added.

Albayalde said Advincula asked them if he can publicly apologize to those he included in the video and the PNP just give him the opportunity.

He said Advincula have yet to finish his affidavit.

Meanwhile, in an ambush interview during a groundbreaking ceremony at Camp Bagong Diwa, Albayalde said the alleged involvement of some religious leaders will also be part of their investigation.

"Everything he said is not being taken as the gospel of truth. He has to substantiate his statements with evidence and we have to evaluate and gather pieces of evidence," Albayalde told reporters.

He added they can even invite those personalities allegedly involved for them to "shed light" on the issue.

Advincula, who says he is '' Bikoy'', the man who uploaded the anti-Duterte videos retracted his statement that President Rodrigo Duterte and those who are close to him are involved in illegal drugs.

He then claimed those who are in the opposition are behind those videos to oust Duterte. Ella Dionisio/DMS