PNP says it can probe narcolist videos even without ‘Bikoy’

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) can still investigate the claims of Peter Joemel Advincula, the man claiming to be “Bikoy” of the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos, even without his sworn statement, PNP chief General Oscar Albayalde said.

In an interview at Camp Crame, Albayalde said the PNP can also secure other witnesses who will prove the allegations of Advincula that the Liberal Party (LP) and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV were behind the narcolist videos.

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

“Kahit hindi natin siya (Advincula’s sworn statement) magamit, kung we can get other witnesses and other physical evidence based doon sa mga sinabi niya, we can always file a case,” the PNP chief said on Monday.

(Even if we cannot use the sworn statement of Advincula, if we can get other witnesses and other physical evidence based on what he said, we can always file a case).

Advincula left the premises of the PNP headquarters on Saturday afternoon, without leaving the sworn statement and pieces of evidence which he said would support his claims that the LP and Trillanes were involved in “Oplan Sodoma” the supposed plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte.

READ: ‘Bikoy’ left PNP without promised evidence, says Albayalde

Albayalde said Advincula had vowed to return with a lawyer — a promise that the PNP chief still keeps despite questions raised on the credibility of the then elusive, hooded man.

If Advincula does not resurface, Albayalde said “Bikoy” will then be a mere “source of information.”

“[If] we get raw information from somebody, [and] dinevelop namin ‘yung information na ‘yun, [and] we get also evidence from other people and also physical evidence [ay] makakalap kami, then hindi naman namin na siya kailangan,” he said.

(If we get raw information from somebody and we develop it and get evidence from other people, then we do not need him any longer.)

However if Advincula indeed decides to go into hiding again, Albayalde said the PNP “has nothing against him.”

He also maintains that the PNP did not say whether Advincula was telling the truth or is only telling lies.  (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)