PNP says P10-M bounty for Acierto’s arrest a ‘big help’

In this photo, taken on Sunday, March 24, 2019, former Police Col. Eduardo Acierto holds a media conference with a select group of journalists somewhere in Metro Manila. Acierto, who was assigned in various units of the police anti-illegal drugs for 18 years, is now in hiding after being included in President Rodrigo Duterte’s so-called matrix list of persons allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade. (Photo by BULLIT MARQUEZ / AP)

MANILA, Philippines — The P10-million reward for any information that could lead to the arrest of dismissed Police Col. Eduardo Acierto will be a big help to put him behind bars, Col. Bernard Banac, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson, said Monday.

“Definitely, the P10 million reward money will be a big help to the ongoing manhunt operations against ex-PCol Acierto,” he said in a text message to reporters.

“But with or without a reward, it is the PNP’s mandate to find him and serve the warrant of arrest,” Banac added.

READ: Palace offers P10-M bounty for Acierto’s arrest – DOJ chief

Acierto is accused of being involved in smuggling into the country billions of pesos worth of crystal meth, or “shabu,” through magnetic lifters.

According to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, the bounty will come from Malacañang but said he wasn’t sure where it would be sourced.

The Manila Regional Trial Court has earlier issued a hold departure order against Acierto to prevent him from leaving the country.

READ: Court issues hold departure order vs Acierto, 6 others

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