MANILA, Philippines — Five Bacolod police officials denied before an “angry” President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday that they were involved in the illegal drugs trade.
Bacolod City Police Chief Senior Supt. Francisco Ebreo, Senior Supt. Allan Rubi Macapagal, Supt. Richie Makilan Yatar, Supt. Nasruddin Daud Tayuan, and Senior Insp. Victor Paulino met with Duterte in Malacañang on Monday.
Former Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go, who was present during the meeting, said Duterte and the five policemen talked for around 20 minutes.
Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde was also present during the meeting.
“He (Duterte) told them they will be put under investigation,” Go told INQUIRER.net in a phone interview.
He said the policemen denied their involvement in the drug trade.
“They all explained their side,” he said. “They will be put under investigation because drugs still proliferate in Bacolod.”
Go said the President already ordered the PNP to investigate their cases.
Duterte announced the firing of the five policemen in his speech at the private birthday party of Leo Rey Yanson, chief executive officer of Vallacar Transit, at L’Fisher Hotel on Saturday night. /ee
READ: Duterte fires Bacolod police chief, 4 other cops