PNP: ‘Bikoy’ a former seminarian, ex-convict for illegal recruitment case

Peter Joemel Advincula, who claims to be “Bikoy,” reads his statement at the multi-purpose hall at headquarters of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in Pasig on May 6, 2019. (Photo by EDWIN BACASMAS / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — Peter Joemel Advincula who claimed to be “Bikoy” was a former seminarian and was allegedly jailed for large-scale illegal recruitment, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police Gen. Oscar Albayalde revealed on Tuesday.

In a press briefing at Camp Crame, Albayalde said the PNP is now conducting a profiling of Advincula after he surfaced at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) office on Monday afternoon, claiming threats to his life and asking for legal assistance.

READ: ‘Bikoy’ surfaces at IBP office, claims his life is in danger

“Bikoy” is the hooded guy in the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos published on YouTube and metrobalita.net implicating close allies and relatives of President Rodrigo Duterte to a drug syndicate.

“Lumalabas na ‘yung tao na ito (Advincula), he was convicted for large-scale illegal recruitment and he was sentenced to jail for six years,” Albayalde said.

“Mukhang talagang magaling siyang mang-estafa, at magaling siya most probably magsalita. You could just imagine you will be charged for large scale recruitment. Ibig sabihin ang dami niyang naloko,” he added.

During a news conference at the IBP office, Advincula admitted being sentenced to jail for six years in 2012 and said he was released in 2016 for showing good behavior.

But he said the crime for which he was jailed was estafa involving documents he signed at VitaPlus where he claimed he was a former marketing executive.

According to Albayalde, Advincula served his sentence at a jail in Marikina City but his alleged illegal activities were committed in the Bicol region.

Albayalde said aside from the illegal recruitment case, the PNP is also verifying information that Advincula is facing an estafa case pending at the National Bureau of Investigation.

He added that Advincula might have used his background as a former seminarian to deceive people.

The PNP is also investigating whether he has any connection to the illegal drug trade.

Should Advincula reach out to the PNP to seek security, after he claimed he has been receiving death threats, the police will have to assess whether he really needs police assistance, said Albayalde.

“We will assess kung talagang kailangan niya or not kasi baka imagination din niya that his life is in danger. He will undergo the process also, kahit sino naman eh” he said.

“Kung nakita natin na talagang may threat yung buhay niya, why not?” he added. /jpv