MANILA, Philippines — While recognizing the importance of the accusations made by dismissed policeman Eduardo Acierto linking President Rodrigo Duterte’s former economic adviser, Michael Yang, to illegal drugs, Senator Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday said photographs are not “convincing” enough to support the ex-cop’s claims.
“Hindi masyadong convincing ‘pag pic lang (Photographs alone are not convincing),” Lacson said, adding that he discussed the case with Acierto in a previous meeting.
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“Ang sabi ko sa kanya [Acierto], provide me with all the details, ‘di pwede ganito lang ipapakita mo, photographs (I told Acierto to provide me with more details, photos alone are not enough),” the senator added.
Lacson added that he does not believe the accusations due to loopholes in the report.
“May mga butas na di ako bilib (There are loopholes in the report that I do not believe in),” Lacson said.
“Hindi ko masyadong ma-appreciate except for the photos shown, but the details di ko masyadong na-appreciate at the time (The details in the report were not convincing, except the photos),” he added.
The senator insists, however, that the case should be pursued, especially as it involves the highest office in government.
“Dapat i-pursue ang investigation just to clear the air, kung may basis ang accusation ni Acierto. I am not saying credible ang accusation. I have seen the report even before the Senate hearing (The case must be pursued to see if Acierto’s accusations have a basis. I am not saying that the accusations are credible. I have seen the report even before the Senate hearing),” Lacson said.
On Sunday, Acierto met with select reporters and revealed that he submitted a report to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) detailing Yang’s involvement in the illegal drug trade with Chinese national Allan Lim.
Acierto also claimed that he has a P15 million bounty on his head, which poses a threat to his security. /ee
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