PNP will continue probe on ‘Bikoy’ allegations

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will continue with its probe on the allegations of Peter Joemel Advincula, the man claiming to be “Bikoy” in the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos, that opposition leaders were behind a supposed ouster plot against President Duterte even if Advincula does not submit evidence to back up his claim.

PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde yesterday said they can conduct their own investigation to verify Advincula’s revelations about “Project Sodoma,” a plan allegedly hatched by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and other critics of the administration to remove Duterte from power and install Vice President Leni Robredo as the country’s chief executive.

After he posted bail for different estafa charges, Advincula left the PNP headquarters at Camp Crame, Quezon City on Saturday without submitting a sworn statement or any piece of evidence that police investigators could use to support his allegations.

For Albayalde, Advincula’s revelations can be treated as raw information, which could be verified through a proper investigation.

He said the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has formed a team that will look into Advincula’s statements.

“It seems that what happened is he is a source of information,” Albayalde said.

Albayalde believes Advincula will eventually return and put his allegations into a sworn affidavit, noting the latter’s relatives are in constant communication with their investigators at the CIDG. They are also willing to help.

“We believe that he will be going back and prepare for his extrajudicial confession. Hindi naman tapos yan (it’s not yet finished),” he said at a press briefing.

Albayalde explained Advincula could not execute a sworn statement due to the absence of a lawyer.

If Advincula does not show up, Albayalde said it only proves their earlier assessment of his character.

Albayalde earlier described Advincula as a con artist who would sell information, including false ones, to the highest bidder.

“We are not saying he is telling the truth and we are not saying also that he is telling a lie but it is possible he wants to redeem himself,” he said.

The group Citizens Crime Watch, represented by lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, urged the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday to investigate top officials of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) over the press conference of Advincula alias Bikoy, at the IBP main office in Pasig City last May 6.

Topacio called on the Court to look into possible administrative liabilities of IBP’s outgoing national president Abdiel Dan Elijah Fajardo and incoming national president and current vice president Domingo Egon Cayosa for hosting the man who accused members of the first family of involvement in the illegal drug trade.

Topacio accused the IBP officials of violating their own rules in accommodating Advincula.

“Supposedly, the objectives and purposes of the Integrated Bar, as stated in Article I, Section 2 of its By-Laws, are to elevate the standards of the legal profession; improve the administration of justice and enable the Bar to discharge its public responsibility more effectively. Advincula’s press conference, however, was obviously not in accordance with the said objectives and purposes,” the group said in a three-page letter to Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin.

Topacio stressed that Advincula’s press conference, where the IBP logo can be seen in the background, created “the impression that the entire IBP is advocating Advincula’s assertions which, in reality, cannot be actually said for all its members.”

He also rebutted the reported claim of Fajardo that they were unaware that Advincula would hold a press conference at the time.

“This disclaimer, however, is difficult to believe since the function room where the press conference was held appears to have been set up in advance, considering the presence of numerous media, a sound system and tables and chairs,” he pointed out.

“Furthermore, Advincula was even accompanied by the IBP national director for legal aid, Minerva Ambrosio as well as some Catholic nuns,” Topacio added. –  With Edu Punay