Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo. INQUIRER file photo / JOAN BONDOC
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang is urging Peter Joemel Advincula, who claims to be “Bikoy,” to submit a “sworn statement” and substantiate his latest claims that the Liberal Party (LP) and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV were behind the narcolist videos.
“He has to substantiate, he has to submit proof,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.
Advincula surrendered Wednesday night and claimed Thursday that the narcolist videos were “orchestrated” by the LP and Trillanes.
“We would rather wait for the investigation that will be conducted by the PNP (Philippine National Police) relative to his revelations. As a lawyer, I just don’t believe in what a person says,” Panelo said.
“For one, he has to submit a sworn statement. So we’d rather have the PNP do its job,” he added.
The Palace official said it “will just watch” and wait for developments on Advincula’s new revelations after those accused by “Bikoy” denied their involvement in the narcolist videos and in the alleged ouster plot against Duterte.
“People will always deny. We’d have to wait for Advincula to substantiate his charges. After that, let’s see. If there are charges to be filed in court, then the truth will come out,” he said.”
“I don’t know what they will do with themselves. It’s their hide, they’re being accused by this person of conspiracy against the administration. It’s between them and Bikoy. We will just watch and look for whatever development,” he added.
Panelo, who is also President Rodrigo Duterte’s chief legal counsel, earlier said that any investigation against Advincula would be a waste of government time and money.
Advincula, who claims to be the hooded narrator in the “Ang Tototong Narcolist” videos, had earlier claimed that Duterte’s first family was involved in the illegal drug trade.
READ: Palace to ‘Bikoy’: You lie in one, you lie in all
Panelo had earlier questioned the credibility of Advincula, saying “You lie in one, you lie in all.” (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)