MANILA, Philippines — Gusto lamang siraan ang imahe ni Police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido sa mata ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte kaya pinipilit itong isangkot sa illegal drugs, ayon kay Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo.
“There appears to be a black propaganda waged against Lt. Col. Espenido to besmirch the reputation of the latter in the eyes of PRRD and the Filipino nation, and to derail his unrelenting campaign against illegal drugs,” wika ni Panelo.
Naniniwala anya ang Pangulo na malinis si Espenido at buo pa rin ang tiwala nito sa opisyal.
“Lt. Col. Espenido continues to enjoy the trust and confidence of the President. PRRD believes that the reports of his alleged involvement in prohibited drugs are untrue,” dagdag ni Panelo.
Magugunitang kinumpirma ni DILG Sec. Eduardo Año na kabilang ang pangalan ni Espenido sa narcolist.