PAGCOR exec apologizes for ‘Ex-PNP chief’ rumor tied to Guo’s escape

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) Senior Vice President Raul Villanueva apologized on Sept. 24 for stating unvetted reports allegedly linked to a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief in the escape of dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo. 

Villanueva issued his public apology during the Senate hearing after dropping raw information exactly on Sept. 17 that an ex-PNP chief aided Guo’s escape and was even part of Guo’s “monthly payroll”. 

In a statement from a group of former PNP chiefs read by Senator Bato dela Rosa, the unverified claim of Villanueva is a “sweeping accusation which maligns and brings dishonor” to all ex-PNP chiefs.

"I don't want to put malice on our chief PNPs. I'm sorry kung 'yan ang pagka-interpret ng mga chief PNPs natin but I hold them in respect because each of these chief PNP has their own legacy in the PNP institution," Villanueva said.

Villanueva stressed during the Sept. 17 Senate probe on illegal POGO hubs last week that the intelligence reports he received are yet to be verified.

"As I have stated last Senate hearing, I considered it as rumor. In fact, I dismissed it as rumor because I don't have any confirmation at all. I don't have any verified data," he said.

As the information is yet to be confirmed with legal basis, Villanueva asked other people but he came up with nothing.

Dela Rosa then told Villanueva that this incident should serve as a lesson to everyone to be careful in sharing information as it can affect the public. 

The former PNP chief thanked Villanueva afterwards for issuing a public apology.

Prior to the continuation of the Senate probe into illegal POGOs today, PNP Criminal Investigation Detection Group (CIDG) chief Police Major General Leo Francisco said in a phone patch interview on Monday that Villanueva’s allegation was baseless and came only from “gossip” among the intelligence community.

“Kanina nakipag-usap ako kay Brigadier General Raul Villanueva. Categorically sinabi niya talaga sa akin yun ay rumors lang at wala siyang basehan. Kaya nagulat siya kung bakit naging malaking issue ito,” Francisco told reporters in a phone interview by Super Radyo DZbb.

The PNP is yet to file a case against Villanueva after stating unverified information in a senate hearing.