Pagdilao, Tinio bent on clearing name after Duterte exposé

Police Chief Supt. Edgardo Tinio and ex NCRPO director Joel Pagdilao. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS/GRIG MONTEGRANDE, LYN RILLON

Two of the active generals named by President Rodrigo Duterte in a speech as having been involved in illegal drugs immediately denied the accusations, and are set to face national police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa today (Wednesday, July 6, 2016).

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

Former National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) head Director Joel Pagdilao and former Quezon City police head Chief Supt. Edgardo Tinio, who had incidentally, taken Pagdilao’s place in the police district, both stated in interviews that they were willing to face any investigations to clear their name.

“There is no truth that I am a protector of illegal drugs,” Pagdilao said, in a phone interview with the Inquirer on Tuesday evening.

“I don’t know [why I got linked]. In my 32 years of service, I have been fighting illegal drugs. My orders have always been to arrest and file cases against suspects, big or small,” Pagdilao said in Filipino.

READ: Top cops deny drug links

Pagdilao said there was never any explanation given to him, as one of the regional directors and district directors relieved from their post under the new administration, even if “our performance has been good, and there are no wrongdoings there.”

“I don’t tolerate [illegal drugs]…My record speaks for itself,” Pagdilao insisted.

Pagdilao said Duterte’s speech was the first time he has heard such accusations against him.

Pagdilao said he was willing to face any investigation on him, and that he will face De la Rosa to air his side Wednesday “to clear the Pagdilao name that has been besmirched.”

Asked if the linking of his name may have been due to politics or a smear campaign against him, Pagdilao said: “I do not want to speculate.”

Two of the generals Duterte named, retired Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo and former western Visayas police official Chief Supt. Bernardo Diaz, were spotted by several media personnel in an apparent meeting with a staff member of Presidential candidate Mar Roxas in Novotel, Cubao, Quezon city last April.

READ: AFP, PNP senior officials spotted at LP meeting venue

Meanwhile, Tinio, in an interview with the Philippine National Police press corps in his quarters at Camp Crame, Quezon City, likewise opened himself to any investigations.

“I am willing to face whoever gave the information to the President,” Tinio said, also on Tuesday evening. Tinio related that when he heard Duterte’s accusations against him, he trembled in shock.

“I am willing to subject myself to an investigation. If the Napolcom and the office of the PNP chief will conduct the probe, first thing in the morning tomorrow, I will subject myself to their jurisdiction,” Tinio said in Filipino.

Tinio said he was willing to even take a lie-detector test.

Tinio, who has been in the police service for 35 years, says he has never been linked to any narcotics cases before.

To Tinio, the damage has been done: “My burning desire for public service has gone after this stigma.”

“After I clear my name, I will have an early retirement,” said a tearful Tinio.

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