MANILA – Malacañang came into the defense of President Rodrigo Duterte’s economic adviser Michael Yang, who was implicated by a former Philippine National Police (PNP) official in the illegal drug trade.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Yang was not involved in the drug trade as he was already cleared before Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua.
“I don’t think Michael Yang was ever involved. Otherwise he should be on the drug list or should be facing charges,” Panelo said. “You don’t know this (Duterte) guy. He will kill him (Yang) if he is involved [in illegal drugs].”
Yang’s alleged involvement in the drug trade resurfaced after dismissed deputy director for administration of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group Eduardo Acierto said Duterte dismissed an intelligence report on Yang’s link to illegal drugs.
Acierto added that Duterte and then PNP chief Ronald Dela Rosa blocked further investigation against Yang, who was allegedly linked to another Chinese national Allan Lim in the narcotics trade.
However, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Tuesday said they could not find any submitted intelligence report regarding Yang’s alleged involvement in illegal drug trade.
“We cannot find any submitted intelligence report,” Medialdea said in an interview. “We are still looking into that report allegedly submitted into my office by [Acierto].”
‘HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE’
PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said it was “highly questionable” for Acierto to suddenly resurface and claim that two Chinese nationals close to Duterte were into the drug trade.
“Alam nating lahat na si ex-Col. Acierto ay matagal nang dismissed because of corruption. Hindi ko alam kung anong nasa saloobin niya. I think napaka-questionable ‘nung timing ‘nung paglutang niya,” Albayalde said in a radio interview.
He added: “Kung meron talaga siyang mga ganyang information, nasa kanya ang lahat ng panahon para ilabas ito nung pinatawag siya ng Senate. Noon pa dapat niya ginawa iyan, hindi iyong nagtago siya.”
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) head Director General Aaron Aquino also scored on the credibility of Acierto, who is facing criminal complaints about his alleged role in the entry of a large amount of methamphetamine through the Bureau of Customs.
“In terms of credibility, it’s evident that he’s not credible because, first of all, he has been implicated in the smuggling of drugs,” Aquino said in an interview with The Associated Press./PN
What is the difference between you alleged somebody that was included in your list and your chinese adviser is alleged a drug lord. When the alleged individual deny you doesn’t believed because you are right that they are drug lord or included in drug ring. But when your chinese adviser is included you deny it up to death. it mean that you are only the one who said the truth and other are liar. This mentality of yours and your people is clearly says that it is a dictatorship and abuse in power and authority. Shame on you
That is why there a lot of shabu flooded the Philippines because your Chinese adviser is one of the Chinese Triad Member that have a plan to destroy the country by flooding the illegal drugs. It is a clear sign that even custom can’t stop the proliferation of drugs because the head is in the palace itself.