MANILA – A group of former Philippine National Police (PNP) chiefs lambasted Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) official Raul Villanueva for his unverified statement dragging an ex-PNP head to the escape of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo.
In a statement by “Council of Chiefs”, which was read by Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa during Tuesday’s Senate probe, it said Villanueva’s “sweeping accusation” has brought dishonor to the ex-PNP chiefs.
“This is a sweeping accusation which maligns and brings dishonor to all of us, former Chiefs, who have dedicated the best years of our lives in the service of the Filipino nation,” the group said.
“Although we are now retired, we continuously uphold our integrity to the highest standards and our solemn pledge to serve and protect our country and people,” it added.
Villanueva, a retired general and former commander at the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), said during last week’s Senate inquiry that a former PNP chief was part of Guo’s
“monthly payroll” and also helped her escape.
“As a retired general himself, schooled in the Philippine Military Academy’s tradition of producing an ‘Officer and a Gentleman’, it is incumbent upon himself, in the interest of transparency, fairness and justice, to identity this rogue former PNP chief to clear the names of those not involved,” the Council of Chiefs further stated.
“However, if the information turns out false after validating the report, we hereby demand a public apology, no less, from the same officer,” it added.
Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Police Major General Leo Francisco said Villanueva told them that his statement was just a rumor.
“Categorically sinabi niya talaga sa akin ‘yun ay rumors lang at wala siyang basehan. Kaya nagulat siya kung bakit naging malaking issue ito,” Francisco said./PN
