Top cops deny drug links, seek due process

MANILA, Philippines – The five police officers linked to drug trafficking by President Duterte yesterday denied the accusation, saying they were victims of black propaganda and asking for due process

Singled out as a product of “narco-politics” by Duterte, former police chief superintendent Vicente Loot decried the accusation as “unfair” and said the President might have been fed wrong information by the officer’s political opponents.

Loot won in the May 9 elections as mayor of Daanbantayan,a first class municipality in Cebu. His opponent, former mayor Augusto Corro, refused to concede defeat, saying he could not accept losing to Loot by fewer than 10 votes.

In his speech yesterday at the 69th anniversary of the Philippine Air Force in Clark Field, Pampanga, Duterte twice mentioned Loot as being one of five police generals involved in illegal drugs and a “product” of narco-politics.

A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1982, Loot retired last year from the police service after 37 years.

According to Loot, the same black propaganda was leveled against him when his wife was still mayor of their home town.

“We have been victims of black propaganda – every time my wife seeks election, and now me,” Loot said.

Retired Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo Jr. said last night, “I don’t blame the President for making such announcement, but I assure him he was given wrong and poisoned information.”

Shoot first, probe later

Some of his fellow officers vouched for his integrity.

They said Duterte’s accusation was a case of “shoot first, investigate later.”

Former National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) director Joel Pagdilao also denied the allegation of President Duterte.

“There is no truth. I have never been involved in illegal drugs. Our accomplishments will show that we have a serious campaign against drugs,” Pagdilao told The STAR.

He said he would report to PNP chief De la Rosa.

Pagdilao said he was never involved in illegal activities in his more then 32 years in the police service.

Chief Supt. Edgar Tinio, former director of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), and Chief Supt. Bernardo Diaz, former regional director of Western Visayas or Region 6, also denied Duterte’s accusation as they said they would report to Camp Crame first thing today “to clear things up.”

“I am willing to undergo a drug test, lie detector test. I am willing to meet face to face with my accuser. The President might have been given wrong information,” Tinio said.

“I want to clear my name. I still have more than a year in police service. Once I clear my name, I will retire,” he added.

In shock

For his part, Diaz said he was never involved in any illegal drug activities and his track record would show all his accomplishments.

Diaz said he was with his wife and child in a vehicle when his wife received information from a friend about the pronouncement of Duterte.

“I was in shock. Nanginig ang aking laman nung sinabi ni presidente (I shuddered on hearing the President’s) linking me to drugs. If given the chance by the President, I am willing to subject myself to any investigation,” Diaz said.

He said the accusation has tarnished his reputation,  which he has nurtured since his entry in the service as a second lieutenant.

“I have to be heard by my friends, by policemen I served. I have never dipped my fingers into drugs,” he added.

“I am willing to undergo lie detector test, “ he said, as he dared the one who gave the information to the President to face him. “Let the ax fall where it may.”

Diaz said he could not be involved in illegal drugs as his family is aware of the ill effects of the menace.

He said his father died early because he could not accept the fact that his brother was hooked on drugs.

Tinio said he had three drug traffickers convicted and several kilos of drugs seized.

“I never stole or recycled illegal drugs. It’s all rumor, from the grapevine. I am more than willing to be investigated, to undergo lie detector test. I can look the President in the eye,” he added.

Tinio served as QCPD chief for 11 months from July 21, 2015 to July 1, 2016.

“I swear by the name of my family that I never received even a single cent from illegal drugs,” he said.

Trial by publicity

Interviewed on dzBB yesterday, Loot said he would seek an audience with the President to show him relevant documents and evidence of vicious propaganda against him and his family in Cebu.

“I need to see the President or General (Ronald) De la Rosa,” he said, referring to the PNP chief.

Loot said he learned of the President’s accusation from others. When told about it, he said, he was “shocked” and could only laugh bitterly about it.

“I don’t know if I will laugh because there seems to be no end to black propaganda,” he pointed out.

“It’s unfair…I am being tried by publicity,” Loot rued.

Loot recalled the same accusations were first hurled against him in 2013 when he was nominated by Mayor Joseph Estrada to become the new chief of the Manila Police District.

“I am willing to face investigation, to show my documents that these supposed documents against me are all fake,” Loot said.

Ironically, during the campaign, Loot vowed to wipe out illegal drugs in their town in the first 100 days in office if he got elected mayor.

In his public speeches during the campaign, Loot warned drug lords to stop their illegal activities in Daanbantayan. He warned that if they did not stop their illegal trade, they would be arrested and charged in court, or worse, they would be killed in anti-drug operations.

One of Garbo’s friends, who asked not to be named, said certain political and police personalities, some active and others retired, have a score to settle with Garbo.

“If General Garbo’s accusers have the goods against him, why not file a case against him and arrest him?” the friend said. – With Jaime Laude, Jess Diaz, Jennifer Rendon