Chief police investigator denies rift with PNP head

 CIDG Director Samuel D. Pagdilao Jr.

MANILA, Philippines—The head of the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said Wednesday said some unidentified people were trying to “drive a wedge” between him and PNP Director General Nicanor Bartolome.

CIDG Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr. denied rumors of a rift between him and the PNP chief, saying he continued to serve under the leadership and guidance of Bartolome, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1980 and his underclassman by a year.

In a statement, Pagdilao tried to assure the public that he, Bartolome and the whole police organization “will not fall for this scheme to rip the PNP apart.”

Rumors of discord between the two, who were the strongest contenders for PNP chief until Bartolome won the post last year, arose following disputes between CIDG units and local police in Quezon City and Batangas over allegations of misconduct and lapses in coordination.

In both instances, the CIDG teams figured in altercations with the other police units, leading to an exchange of accusations, such as the case of the arrest of two convicted women in Quezon City, who the CIDG said were being extorted from by the Quezon City police.

Pagdilao said he was not aware of who was sowing intrigue between him and Bartolome “but he is certain that it did not come from him.”

“The rift has no basis in truth and in fact,” he said in the statement.

Without naming names, Pagdilao said “those who want crimes to triumph” were likely the ones who want the PNP divided in order to render the organization ineffective in fighting criminality.

Pagdilao said the CIDG would remain steadfast in its mandate to hunt down most wanted persons, neutralize organized crime groups and seize more loose firearms in support of Bartolome’s stated agenda.