Robredo saddened by security man’s alleged drug links

Vice President Leni Robredo (INQUIRER PHOTO)

Vice President Leni Robredo is saddened that one of the members of her security detail has been accused of being involved in drugs as the police personnel’s live-in partner lands on Quezon City’s watch list.

In an ambush interview in Naga City on Friday afternoon, Robredo explained that she did not personally know PO3 Joey Regulacion until she heard about the news that his live-in partner Cheryll Mapula surrendered to the Quezon City police on Wednesday for allegedly selling drugs.

“Siyempre nalulungkot. Nalulungkot whether totoo ’yon o hindi. Kung totoo, nakakalungkot na mayroon tayong (security detail) na considered na involved (sa drugs),” Robredo said.

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But Robredo said it was also unfortunate that Regulacion’s image would be tarnished just because his partner was accused of selling drugs.

“Pero nalulungkot din kung hindi totoo kasi kahit papaano, siyempre ang pagkatao din niya, kahit papano nabahiran,” she said.

In Quezon City, Senior Supt. Guillermo Eleazar, QCPD chief, said in a press briefing that they recommended Regulacion to report back to his mother unit at PNP and undergo drug testing.

Eleazar added that according to a QCPD station commander, Mapula surrendered months ago even before police searched her house in Barangay (village) Culiat for illegal drugs.

“It just so happened that during Tokhang, nakita natin siya doon but when the operatives saw her, wala naman siyang ginagawang violation of law during that time,” he said.

But Eleazar said the QC police had intelligence information that Mapula had been peddling drugs.

“That would be our basis to conduct intelligence surveillance and case buildup against her and if evidence warrants, then appropriate police action will be conducted also,” he added.

The Vice President said she fully supported the removal of Regulacion from her security team while he was being investigated.

“Kaya sabi ko para sigurado lang na maging parehas ang imbestigasyon, mas mabuting bumalik muna sa mother unit pending investigation,” Robredo said.

“Hindi natin siya hinuhusgahan na wala pa namang imbestigasyon na nangyayari, pero mas mabuti na na para hindi tayo maging balakid sa imbestigasyon,” she added.