Marbil: 24 ex-PNP chiefs probed over Guo ties

MANILA, Philippines — An investigation is underway on 24 former chiefs of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to find out who may have aided dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo escape.

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has ordered the probe and instructed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to validate the revelation by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) senior vice president Raul Villanueva that a former PNP chief may have helped Guo flee the country in exchange for money.

“If there is evidence that can link and prove the said connection to a former chief PNP… even if you’re a former chief PNP you are not above the law,” Col. Jean Fajardo, the PNP’s chief information officer, said at a briefing at Camp Crame yesterday.

To kick off the probe, the CIDG will coordinate with Villanueva for the name of the ex-chief PNP who is believed to be connected with Guo and on the former mayor’s payroll.

Fajardo said it is important to narrow down the figure as everybody who has served as PNP chief is a suspect. There are 24 former PNP chiefs who are still alive; five have already died.

“He said these are just rumors but these are serious rumors involving a former chief PNP,” she said.

At least two former PNP chiefs are pushing back at Villanueva’s allegation, calling on the retired military general to name the person he is referring to.

Among them is Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., who said Marbil should file a case against Villanueva for putting the PNP in a bad light if the latter fails to substantiate his innuendos.

Azurin also chided Villanueva for insinuating a former PNP chief is colluding with Guo while admitting they are still verifying the information.

Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said Villanueva should identify the former PNP chief he is referring to so the person can clear his name. Acorda said he never met Guo and that Villanueva’s statement is unfair as it put him and other PNP chiefs in a bad light.

Former PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde, for his part, said he never encountered Guo in his life.

Former senator Panfilo Lacson, also a former PNP chief, described Villanueva’s allegations as “tsismis or what we PMAers fondly refer to as