Advincula not a high-profile criminal, terrorist – Albayalde

Peter Joemel Advincula, who is claiming to be “Bikoy,” is presented at Camp Crame on Thursday, May 23, 2019. INQUIRER photo / Lyn Rillon

MANILA, Philippines — Peter Joemel Advincula is not considered a terrorist or a high-profile criminal because he is only facing estafa cases, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde said Friday.

Albayalde was asked in a radio interview on why Advincula, who identified himself as the “Bikoy” in the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos, was not handcuffed when he was presented to the media on Thursday after surrendering to police the night before over estafa cases.

“Atraso po niya ay estafa lang. Probably, he is not a high-profile criminal. Hindi po terrorista ito and of course pagka pinosasan natin baka may sasabihin na naman ‘yung kabila na bakit namin siya posasan eh estafa lang naman ang kaso niya,” Albayalde said in a DZMM interview.

“At the same time, andun ang pamilya niya at ang napakarami pong pulis dun,” he added.

Advincula was placed under police custody upon his surrender.

READ: Peter ‘Bikoy’ Advincula in police custody — PNP

He was considered a free man by Friday evening, according to PNP spokesperson Colonel Bernard Banac, as Advincula was able to post bail for all the estafa cases filed against him.

READ: ‘Bikoy’ posts bail but to remain in jail for other pending cases – PNP chief

READ: ‘Bikoy’ now a free man after posting bail for all estafa cases – PNP spokesman

Earlier Friday, however, Advincula was rushed to the PNP General Hospital due to high blood pressure. He is still at the hospital, as of posting.

READ: ‘Bikoy’ BP shoots up; gets admitted to hospital–PNP chief

The “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos linked some of President Rodrigo Duterte’s family members and aide to the illegal drug trade. Advincula initially surfaced early May, and identified himself as the unrecognizable, hooded “Bikoy” and vouched for the veracity of allegations in the controversial videos.

READ: ‘Bikoy’ surfaces at IBP office, claims his life is in danger

But on Thursday, at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City – with high-ranking police officials behind him, Advincula changed tune.

This time, he said the allegations in the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos were lies purportedly orchestrated by the Liberal Party and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

READ: ‘Bikoy’ changes tune on videos

READ: ‘Bikoy’ says claims in narco videos are lies, tags LP, Trillanes

(Editor: Katherine G. Adraneda)

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