PDEA chief admits adding security for family

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority (PDEA) Director General Aaron Aquino on Wednesday admitted having additional security measures for his family after he testified at the Senate probe on the so-called “ninja cops.”

Aquino said his family is currently experiencing low esteem, with his eldest daughter telling him that “she is not living a life anymore.”

“I have increased their security. Nagdagdag ako eh (I added security),” Aquino told reporters in a chance interview at the Senate.

“Hindi na (sila) lumalabas. (They are not leaving the house anymore). My eldest told me she’s not living a life anymore. Hindi makalabas (She can’t leave the house),” he added.

At the last Senate inquiry, Aquino testified that Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde once called him in 2016 to not implement a dismissal order against the 13 Pampanga policemen involved in an irregular illegal drug buy-bust operation in 2013.

Aquino was then the Central Luzon police regional director while Albayalde was then Metro Manila police chief.

The PDEA chief also revealed at the last Senate probe that  fear for his life and that of his family’s initially hindered him from testifying at the Senate.

“Malungkot lahat. [Everyone is sad] Pero sabi ko we have to accept everything kung ano man ang mangyari and I added some security,” the PDEA chief said.

He added that the PNP is cooperative enough to provide additional security for his family. /muf