Joseph Azil Buena

Former Philippine National Police (PNP) Generals Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Rodolfo Azurin Jr., and Benjamin Acorda Jr. on September 18, dared an ex-military official to identify the then-PNP chief who allegedly aided dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo’s escape from the Philippines.

Photo Courtesy of Rappler/Philippine STAR/ABS-CBN News.

“He [Villanueva] should identify the individual. The integrity of former chiefs of PNP are at stake. The statement is sweeping and is unfair for those innocents,” Acorda told reporters through messages.

“Dapat klaruhin ng accuser. Dapat kapag nag-akusa ay bigyan niya ng substance ang aksusasyon. Otherwise, ‘di niya dapat ‘yan inilabas,” explained dela Rosa in a briefing.

The statements follow as Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Vice President for Security and Monitoring Ret. Gen. Raul Villanueva stated in a senate hearing that high-ranking officials including an unnamed ex-PNP chief allegedly received bribes from Guo to aid with her escape to Indonesia in July.

VIllanueva, however, clarified that this is not yet verified and his team does not have an exact amount as to how much the alleged bribe was.

Sen. dela Rosa has since clarified several times that he was not the cop that Villanueva was referring to, which Villanueva had agreed to in the same hearing.

However, dela Rosa, in the same press briefing on Wednesday, expressed his concerns to reporters that he, along with other ex-PNP chiefs, saw the damage of the accusations on their reputations, despite their denial of involvement.

“Concerned lang sila... alam naman nila na hindi sila ‘yung involved pero nadadamay ang kanilang personality kasi nga... former PNP chief,” said dela Rosa

In a separate statement, Acorda’s predecessor Ret. Gen. Azurin outright said that he himself has never engaged in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) operations to clear his name.

Azurin also warned Villanueva to name the ex-chief and called for the incumbent PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil to file charges against him should he fail to do so.

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil assured that their former chief who is allegedly linked to the dismissed mayor Alice Guo’s escape will be held liable.

Earlier this month, Guo was apprehended by Indonesian authorities in Tangerang, Indonesia and returned to the Philippines after fleeing the country amid the crackdown on illegal POGOs.

She now faces multiple charges related to her alleged POGO activities, including human trafficking, money laundering, and misrepresentation.