CIDG releases ‘Bikoy’ from protective custody

MANILA, Philippines — Peter Joemel Advincula who claims to be “Bikoy” in the narcolist videos, has been released from protective custody of the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).

PNP Spokesperson Col. Bernard Banac on Monday said Advincula was released from the custody of the PNP around two weeks ago, after submitting his written affidavit on his claims that the opposition, led by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, was behind the videos.

“Mr. Advincula is free. He is out of the custody of the PNP,” he said in a press briefing.

Banac said there is still much to investigate regarding allegations made by Advincula, but explained that the latter submitting his affidavit to the police is already a “big step” in the investigation.

He said the PNP reaches out to Advincula whenever they have questions regarding the probe.

Advincula was earlier placed under protective custody of the CIDG, following alleged threats to his life after he retracted all his allegations that close allies and relatives of President Rodrigo Duterte were involved in the illegal drug trade.

But according to Banac, Advincula was released from protective custody since his request for protection was only verbal and “not official,” and since he did not made a follow-up on his request.

“So ang ating assumption ay he’s on his own, [that] he’s doing good… Maaring ‘yung kanyang unang hinala na mayroong threat sa kanyang buhay ay nagsubside na rin,” he said.

(Our assumption is that he is on his own, that he is doing good. Maybe, his initial assumption that his life was under threat has subsided.) (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)