Lacson: Senate may probe ‘Bikoy’s’ new claims if backed by evidence
MANILA, Philippines— Senator Panfilo Lacson may again consider conducting a Senate inquiry on Peter Joemel Advincula’s new allegations if the latter could present sufficient proof to back his claims.
“If he (Advincula) shows sufficient proof or evidence to back his new allegations, maybe,” Lacson said in a text message on Thursday.
As chairman of the Senate committee on public order, Lacson earlier called a hearing when Advincula first surfaced claiming to be “Bikoy,” the hooded man in the “AngTotoong Narcolist” videos.
In the videos, Bikoy linked President Rodrigo Duterte’s relatives and allies to the illegal drug trade.
But the senator later cancelled the hearing after Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III revealed that in 2016, Advincula also tried to link former President Benigno Aquino III and other former officials into the illegal drugs trade.
Advincula surrendered on Wednesday to the police and recanted his earlier allegations. This time, he claimed that the Liberal Party and other opposition members, including Senator Antonio Trillanes III, were behind the production of the videos.
READ: Bikoy’ says claims in videos are lies, tags LP, Trillanes
But Lacson said “Bikoy” has to show “more than just a narration of what he says now as the real facts,” noting that he suffering from a “serious credibility problem.”
“I would rather leave it to the proper authorities to conduct the appropriate assessment of his new revelations,” he said in a statement.
“As far as I am concerned, being a former law enforcement officer with quite good experience in intelligence and investigation, Bikoy has to show more than just a narration of what he says now as the real facts.”
“He suffers from a serious credibility problem that he must overcome if he wants to be believed this time. He can only do it by presenting solid and substantial proof of his alleged meetings and regular communication with the people that he is now turning the tables on,” Lacson added. (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)
