PSG probes former de Lima bodyguard
September 21, 2016 | 7:00pm
MANILA, Philippines -- The Presidential Security Group is probing the alleged involvement of Sgt. Jonel Sanchez, former bodyguard of Sen. Leila de Lima, in the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prisons.
PSG spokesperson Lt. Col. Michael Aquino said Sanchez, who is from the Air Force, will be restricted to barracks pending the results of the investigation. He said the PSG is ready to present Sanchez to the House of Representatives if asked to.
“In unison with our people’s clamor for justice and truth, we requested the said person, the said troop (member) to fully cooperate so that we can achieve the truth and justice,” Aquino told reporters in Malacañang Wednesday.
“To ensure his safety, we confined [him] to barracks so that we can give way for the investigation. Regarding this investigation, we cannot give further details because we thought it might preempt the investigation that is going on at the House of Representatives,” he added.
Last week, Herbert Colanggo, an NBP inmate convicted for drug trafficking and robbery, claimed that he had produced money to support de Lima's senatorial bid. He said he began contributing money to de Lima’s campaign in October 2013 through Sanchez.
According to him, de Lima, then a Justice secretary, received about P3 million in drug money each month.
The NBP inmate also alleged that de Lima was given P1 million for allowing him to sell beer inside the penitentiary. Sanchez allegedly collected the money in de Lima's behalf.
Aquino confirmed that Sanchez was detailed to de Lima during the Aquino administration. He was temporarily assigned to provide security for Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea pending his transfer to an Air Force unit.
The PSG, which is tasked with securing the president and his family and other VIPs, is a multi-agency unit that includes personnel from the police, military and Coast Guard.
Sanchez was still securing papers for his transfer when he was implicated in the drug trade scandal.
Aquino could not say when the PSG would complete the investigation.
Asked if Sanchez would be subjected to a court martial, Aquino said: “It depends on the outcome of the investigation. If there are actions inconsistent [with] military professionalism, usually, we conduct a court martial.”
Aquino said the issues hounding Sanchez would not affect the PSG’s resolve to perform its mandate.
“PSG remains steadfast in its mission to protect the president of the Philippines and the first family with the highest sense of integrity, loyalty and patriotism,” he said.
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