PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde said Tuesday, March 26, they do not have any intelligence information linking presidential economic adviser Michael Yang to the illegal drug trade.

Dismissed police official, Senior Superintendent Eduardo Acierto, earlier accused Yang, a Davao-based Chinese businessman who is close to President Rodrigo Duterte, and a certain Allan Lim to illegal drug trade.

But Albayalde said Yang is not included in the PNP intelligence division's list of drug personalities.

“As far as the PNP is concerned, wala po kaming information whatsoever on the alleged illegal activities of Michael Yang,” he said in a press briefing in Camp Crame.

But Albayalde said the PNP may conduct verification based on the allegations of Acierto.

“Yes, of course, (we will consider launching investigation against Yang). Kung may mga intelligence information especially coming from the intelligence community, we will. SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) naman yan if we receive intelligence reports,” he said.

“It is possible kasi wala naman sinabi ang pangulo natin na hindi pwedeng galawin ‘yung mga kaibigan o advisers niya. Alam natin ang Presidente walang sinisino sa laban sa illegal na droga, corruption at krimen,” he added.

Acierto said Sunday, March 24, that Yang and Lim are among the biggest drug lords in the country, responsible for running clandestine laboratories in Davao and Cagayan de Oro cities.

Acierto said he exposed the matter to warn the government and because he had already been receiving death threats.

He said he received an information that a “Davao group” was contracted to kill him with a reward of P15 million.

“Kung meron siyang death threat he can surface and pwede naman niya sabihin sa amin. Probably,, we can help him just like any other citizen kung meron siyang nakikitang death threat then why not,” said Albayalde.

Acierto, who had been a member of the PNP's anti-narcotics units for at least 18 years, said he prepared the report in August 2017 and submitted it to then chief PNP Ronald dela Rosa, then Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) director Aaron Aquino, and Police Deputy Director General Camilo Cascolan.

He said copies of the report was also sent to Albayalde, Senator Richard Gordon, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, and former Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go.

Albayalde, however, denied the allegations of Acierto that he did not do anything upon receiving the report, saying he could not remember receiving such.

“I can only speculate that Acierto could be doing all these indiscriminate allegations in a vain attempt to muddle the ongoing case resulting from his indictment in the P6.4-billion shabu smuggled inside magnetic lifters through the Bureau of Customs,” he said.

“My advice for him is to 'man-up' and face the charges squarely rather than shoot from the hip with indiscriminate accusations,” he added.

Acierto was one of the government officials implicated in the P11 billion worth of smuggled drugs concealed in magnetic lifters that were found at the Manila International Container Port (MICP), as well as in a warehouse in Cavite.

He refused attending investigation launched by the lawmakers on the matter.

Albayalde said the timing of Acierto’s surfacing is also questionable considering that Dela Rosa is running for the senatorial position under the government’s party. (SunStar Philippines)