MALACAÑANG on Tuesday, March 26, downplayed as a mere counterattack the accusation of a former police official that a Chinese businessman and economic adviser of President Rodrigo Duterte was involved in illegal drug trade.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said former Senior Superintendent Eduardo Acierto merely wanted to take revenge on the current administration, after the latter had been linked by President Rodrigo Duterte to illegal drugs.
"Obviously, the motive is since he (Acierto) has been accused of involvement in drugs, he wants to get back. that's why he is pointing fingers at whoever," Panelo told Palace reporters.
"If indeed what he was saying is true, he should have filed it when he was still connected with the PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency). In fact, that is what the PNP chief [Police General Oscar Albayalde] is also saying, why didn't you do something about it if that's true?" he added.
Acierto, who was listed on top of the drug matrix released by Duterte in October 2018, was accused of amassing wealth by "recycling" confiscated drug from apprehended Chinese drug suspects.
On Sunday, March 24, Acierto surfaced and linked Chinese businessman Michael Yang and Chinese national Allan Lim to operations of clandestine shabu laboratories in Davao City and Cagayan de Oro.
READ: Dismissed cop tags 2 Chinese nationals close to Duterte as drug lords
Acierto lamented that there was no action taken by the President, even after he had sent a detailed intelligence report to the latter about Yang's involvement in illegal drugs.
In October 2018, Duterte denied that Yang was one of his economic advisers, but cleared the Chinese businessman of links to the drug trade.
Despite Duterte's denial of any connection with Yang, Panelo in November last year admitted that the Chinese national was one of the Chief Executive's "economic consultants."
In his latest remarks, Panelo said the Palace was convinced that Yang was not into the rampant narcotics trade.
"I suppose the President will not be saying anything without any basis. Also common sense will tell us that he (Yang) is not involved," the Palace official said.
Panelo, however, guaranteed that Yang would be held accountable if his drug links are proven true.
He also warned that the President would "kill" Yang, if the Chinese national is indeed involved in illegal drugs.
"The charges will be filed against him if that is validated. Just like the way he treats other people involved in drugs. He will go to the ends of the earth to put them behind bars. If they resist under the law, the police officers who are in danger can use violence, lethal violence," Panelo said.
"You don't know this guy (Duterte). He will kill him (Yang) if he is involved in illegal drugs," he added. (SunStar Philippines)