DOJ starts probe on Bikoy’s oust-Duterte claims

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has started its fact-finding investigation on the claims of Peter Joemel Advincula, the self-confessed “Bikoy” in the viral “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos, of an alleged plot by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and other opposition personalities to oust President Duterte.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is pursuing the probe after Advincula submitted to the Philippine National Police (PNP) a sworn affidavit and evidence to support the statements he made when he surrendered last month.

“With the submission of the affidavit and other evidence by Advincula, the NBI may now pursue the investigation. I (have) already requested copies of these documents from the PNP,” Guevarra said in a text message.

The NBI’s fact-finding probe will start with the validation of the claims made by Advincula in his affidavit, according to the justice department chief.

Guevarra explained that the same sworn statement could be used to evaluate the eligibility of Advincula for coverage under the DOJ’s witness protection program (WPP) should the latter opt to submit an application.

“If he applies for WPP coverage, we will assess his eligibility. But for now, it appears that he is being accorded protective custody by the PNP,” Guevarra pointed out.

Citing the “gravity and serious implications” of Advincula’s allegations, the DOJ has opted to conduct an investigation.

It explained that “any and all questions regarding the veracity and truthfulness of those allegations are best threshed out and addressed in a through investigation conducted by experts, following a rigorous legal process towards the ascertainment of the truth,” it stressed.

Advincula, who surfaced on May 6 to confess he was the hooded man who accused members of the first family of involvement in illegal drug trade in the viral videos, surrendered to the PNP on May 23 over pending estafa and illegal recruitment cases.

He said his allegations in the videos were not true and that he was only paid by Trillanes and the opposition as part of the so-called Oplan Sodoma to oust Duterte.

Advincula also alleged that he saw Vice President Leni Robredo “pass by” one of their meetings, but stressed that she did not join them.

Apart from Robredo and Trillanes, Advincula also tagged Sens. Leila de Lima and Risa Hontiveros as well as personalities from the Liberal Party in the alleged ouster plot.

Earlier this month, businessman Arven Valmores of Ardeur World Marketing also filed a new estafa complaint against Advincula before the DOJ. Prosecutors already concluded the preliminary investigation after he failed to appear in two hearings despite summons.

Prominent Bicolano businessman Elizaldy Co and his posh Misibis Bay Resort have also filed a P1-billion cyber libel suit against Advincula and social media giants Facebook and YouTube for the video that implicated them in illegal drug trade.