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Palace to Dela Rosa: Name favor-seeking friend

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Palace to Dela Rosa: Name favor-seeking friend

King Rodriguez

'Alamin natin kung sino muna si kumpare kasi malaking bagay ‘yan na kailangang malaman ng publiko,' says Communications Assistant Secretary Ana Maria Banaag

MANILA, Philippines – To put an end to all speculation, Malacañang said on Friday, December 2, that it will ask Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa to reveal the identity of his “friend” who had asked him to reinstate a controversial cop.

Communications Assistant Secretary Marie Banaag made the statement in a news briefing when asked about Dela Rosa’s own admission that he reinstated Superintendent Marvin Marcos as Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief in Region 8 because of a request from a “higher up.”

Asked if Malacañang would ask Dela Rosa to name the government official – descrbed only as Dela Rosa’s “kumpare” or friend – Banaag said, “Yes.”

Responding to earlier questions at the briefing, Banaag said any action that President Rodrigo Duterte may take against the official who allegedly intervened on behalf of Marcos would depend on what really happened – something that only Dela Rosa can answer.

“Alamin natin kung sino muna si kumpare kasi malaking bagay ‘yan na kailangang malaman ng publiko. For now, we cannot comment on that kung anong gagawin ng Presidente, kung anong maaring niyang gawin at doon, sa gravity pati ng ginawa, kung meron man, at kung ano ‘yung impluwensiya noong tumawag sa kanya [Dela Rosa],” she said.

(Let’s find out first who this friend is because this is an important detail that the public should know. For now, we cannot comment on what the President would do, what he may do in that regard, based on the gravity of the action, if any, and what kind of influence that person wielded on him [Dela Rosa]).”

‘Misinformation’

On Senator Leila de Lima’s allegation that it was Special Assistant to the President Bong Go who intervened on Marcos’ behalf, Banaag said the former justice secretary is “free to feed misinformation…para magkagulo ang ranks ng mga nagta-trabaho sa administrasyon (to cause divisions within the ranks of those working in the administration).”

May posibilidad na ‘yung mga opinion ni Senator De Lima, ‘yung kanyang mga sasabihin ay puwedeng-puwede, may posibilidad na puwedeng para magulo at para magkawatak-watak at magka may suspicion sa ranks ng mga nasa administrasyon,” she said.

(There’s a possibility that Senator De Lima’s opinion, her pronouncements are meant to cause disunity and harbor suspicions among the ranks of those in the administration.)

De Lima had alleged that according to her source, Go’s alleged interference was an “open secret” among PNP officials. Go, as well as Dela Rosa, had denied the allegation.

On Friday, Dela Rosa said he would only name the person who made the request on behalf of Marcos if the senator would reveal her source. De Lima responded that Dela Rosa should make the revelation since he was the one who initiated the topic.

Marcos headed the police operation that led to the death of Albuera mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr inside his jail cell in Leyte. The late mayor’s son, alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, had claimed that Marcos received drug money from him.

It was Magdalo party list Representative Gary Alejano who first raised the question about Marcos and his team at the House probe into the drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison on November 24. (READ: Espinosa case: Why were Marcos and team moved to CIDG 8?) – Rappler.com

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