Tinio denies involvement in drugs, says he’s ready to face Duterte

Police Chie Supt Edgardo Tinio .  INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

Like other police generals whom President Rodrigo Duterte tagged as drug protectors, former Quezon City Police head Chief Supt. Edgardo Tinio denied his involvement in drugs and said he is willing to face the President to clear his name. 

“I was in shock. Nanginig aking laman noong nalaman ko na isa ako sa mga heneral na allegedly involved sa drugs (I was angered when I learned that I was among the generals allegedly involved in drugs),” Tinio said in an interview over DZMM radio on Tuesday. 

Tinio said he never engaged in any illegal drug activity from the time he graduated from Philippine Military Academy as a second lieutenant in 1986. 

“I am more than willing to undergo an investigation and a lie detector test, to face my accuser and face the President. I can see him eye to eye and tell him not involved in any shenanigans and nefarious activities,” he said. 

Duterte, in his speech earlier at the Philippine Air Force anniversary in Clark, Pampanga, identified five police generals, both active and retired including a certain “Gen. Diaz” of Davao Regional Police, who allegedly protected drug lords.

READ: Duterte names top cops allegedly involved in illegal drugs trade

The police general also slammed his accuser who informed Duterte that he coddled drug syndicates, saying the person has no substantial proof except hearsay. 

“Kung may tauhan akong gumawa ng kalokohan, imbestigahan mga tauhan ko sa QCPD (If one of my men committed a wrongdoing, investigate them at QCPD) and let the ax fall where it may,” Tinio said. 

Tinio, who is set to retire next year, said after clearing his name, he would opt to retire early from police service.

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