MANILA, Philippines – The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group stands by the plunder case it filed against former First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo and several others, CIDG chief Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr. told 990AM in an interview Monday.
Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo and CIDG chief Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Pagdilao said that it was unfortunate that Senator Franklin Drilon had questioned their move to file plunder charges.
Pagdilao said that the CIDG’s investigation into the national police’s allegedly anomalous purchase of two Robinson R44 helicopters, which later turned out to be second-hand, started even before the Senate blue ribbon committee’s inquiry began.
Pagdilao said that even if the resource persons had deferred their invitation and decided to face the Senate inquiry instead, they were allowed to use the evidence culled in these hearings.
The CIDG chief said that there was enough evidence to file plunder, adding, “We would not have filed the case if we did not believe it.”
The CIDG filed plunder and related or “predicate” charges against twenty-six respondents including the former first gentleman, former Philippine National Police chief Jesus Versoza, former Interior
Secretary Ronaldo Puno, retired and active officials of the PNP, as well as officers from the suppliers of the pre-owned helicopters.
The PNP procured three Robinson R44 helicopters for P104.9 million for its Special Action Force unit back in 2009.