Lacson meets with PNP ‘drug’ general: ‘I tend to believe him’

Camille Elemia

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Lacson meets with PNP ‘drug’ general: ‘I tend to believe him’
After meeting with former Quezon City Police Chief Edgardo Tinio, Senator Panfilo Lacson says he 'tends to believe' the story of the accused general

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Panfilo Lacson revealed on Wednesday, July 13, that one of the 5 police generals allegedly involved in illegal drugs recently met with him and he found him believable.

Chief Superintendent Edgardo Tinio, former Quezon City Police District Office director,  visited him in his office on Monday, July 11, to decry allegations thrown against him by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte.

Lacson told Tinio that the statements of the President probably have basis. Tinio, he said, could only counter that by presenting strong evidence.

“Sabi ko: Alam mo pag may ganyan may pinanggagalingan. Dapat alam mo ano pinanggagalingan. ‘I’m not saying you are guilty or not. I know for sure you know ano ang pinaghugutan ng sinabi ni President Duterte,” Lacson said in a press conference.

(I told him: You know things like that are based on something. You should now what the President’s basis is. I’m not saying you are guilty or not. I know for sure you know what the basis of President Duterte’s statements is.)

During his visit, Tinio reminded Lacson that the senator, then Philippine National Police chief during the Estrada administration, promoted him on the spot for his role in fighting drugs.

“Niremind niya ako na ‘[Kasama ako doon sa] spot promotion ninyo sa Bulacan noong CPNP  ka at Sir, sana ‘wag ka maniwala.’ Siguro being Cavaliers, PMA Class ’85, siyempre naghahanap sila. At sa Senate ako, he wanted to present his side even before, if such investigation would be conducted. Siguro kunan ang kanyang sentiment,” he said.

(He reminded me that ‘I was part of the spot promotion when you were Chief of the Philippine National Police and that I hope, Sir, you don’t believe the issues.’ Maybe as Cavaliers, PMA Class ’85, of course they’re looking for some [help]. And I belong to the Senate, he wanted to present his side even before if such investigation would be conducted. Maybe to get his sentiment.)

‘Believable’ stories

For Lacson, some of Tinio’s stories are “believable,” which if proven true, might help the latter’s case.

“He told me a lot of stories na puwedeng believable. He had a meeting with SILG (Secretary of Interior and Local Government), [PNP Chief] Gen. Bato [dela Rosa]. Sabi ko, sige umiyak ka lang, mga lalaki no matter how tough they are umiiyak din,(I told him it’s okay to cry, men – no matter how tough they seem – still cry),” the senator said.

Case in point, Lacson said, was Tinio’s assignment in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, where he was the arresting officer of a big time drug lord.

Citing Tinio, Lacson said the judge, through the prosecutor, supposedly offered Tinio P5 million to dismiss the case. Tinio, however, wanted to launch an entrapment operation for the judge but to no avail. The judge was eventually dismissed for a similar reason, Lacson said.

“Kung totoo nangyari ‘yan, and I have no reason to doubt na totoo, marunong ako tumingin kung binobola ako. Sa impression ko, he was honest in what he was narrating to me. Kung nangyari ‘yan…bakit siya papatol sa illegal drugs?” the senator said.

(If that indeed happened and I have no reason to doubt it, I know when someone is lying to me. Based on my impression, he was honest in what he was narrating to me. If it happened…why would he involve himself in illegal drugs?)

Sabi ko (I told him) you compile your records to back your defense. The way he narrated to me, I would tend to believe rather than not believe him,” Lacson said. – Rappler.com

 

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Camille Elemia

Camille Elemia is a former multimedia reporter for Rappler. She covered media and disinformation, the Senate, the Office of the President, and politics.