Is a former PNP chief on Alice Guo’s payroll?

At the resumption of the Senate hearing on illegal POGOs on Tuesday, September 17, it was revealed that concerned agencies are in the process of validating “rumors” that a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief helped dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo flee the country. Retired general Raul Villanueva, senior vice president of the security monitoring cluster of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), said this while responding to Senator Risa Hontiveros’ questions about the veracity of rumors that Guo paid P200 million to a high-ranking immigration official, and if others in government were bribed to help her escape. Villanueva said the “rumors within the intelligence community” were not only about the alleged involvement of people in the Bureau of Immigration (BI) but also of “PNP officials.

” When asked what PNP units were supposedly involved, Villanueva said in a mix of Filipino and English: “Not a PNP unit, Ma’am, but personalities...



. I think it was mentioned, the former chief PNP.” Villanueva said he could not confirm what kind of support this former police chief allegedly provided to Guo, and whether this individual was offered an amount, or if he even accepted it.

He also added that he could not ascertain the source of the report, but that this is being validated. “ Ang parang usapan doon, Ma’am, parang ‘yung parang nasa payroll, ‘yung monthly payroll ever since ,” he said. (The talk there, Ma’am, is that he seems to be on the payroll, the monthly payroll ever since.

) Asked to identify the former PNP official or police involved to prevent the public from casting doubts on the entire organization, Villanueva said that no exact name was provided, just the description that the person possibly involved is a former PNP chief. “That’s why I said the intelligence community is still verifying it. They have to confirm it yet,” he added.

Asked about the alleged bribery among government officials and the former police chief, Angelito Magno, National Bureau of Investigation deputy director for investigative services told the Senate panel: “Lahat po ‘yan ay tinitingnan po natin. But at this moment, we cannot comment on the investigation and intelligence gathering that we are conducting. Since sa binubuo po naming pag-backtrack at pag-iimbestiga ay kasama po naming tinitingnan iyan, Madam Chair.

” (We are looking into all of that. But at this moment, we cannot comment on the investigation and intelligence gathering that we are conducting. This is part of the backtracking and investigation that we are pursuing.

) On updates about the BI investigation of its officials possibly involved in Guo’s escape — which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had vowed to weed out — BI intelligence division chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said that the probe is still ongoing.

Must Read Who helped Alice Guo flee from the Philippines? As the hearing began to wrap up, Senator Bato dela Rosa arrived and asked the chair to be allowed to ask a few questions. He initially asked Guo about her brother Wesley Guo who was still abroad, and whether she considered to return to China if she was not arrested in Indonesia. (She said planned to return to the Philippines all along.

) Then, the question that apparently prompted the former PNP chief to join his colleagues in the hearing: “Merong sinabi si retired General Villanueva na meron daw isang former chief PNP receiving monthly payroll from you. Puwede bang malaman kung sino itong former chief PNP? I am concerned because I am a former chief PNP, baka mamaya may lalabas na script diyan na si Bato tumatanggap ng pera galing sa iyo.” (Retired General Villanueva earlier said that a former PNP chief received monthly payroll from you.

Can I know who this former chief PNP is? I am concerned because I am a former chief PNP and a script might come out claiming that Bato gets money from you.) Guo said, “ Wala pong ganoong nangyayari (Nothing of that sort is happening).” Dela Rosa also asked Guo whether they had ever met or even just crossed paths in a mall, and Guo said the first time she saw Dela Rosa in person was when she appeared at the Senate hearings.

Dela Rosa also asked Pagcor official Villanueva, to which the latter replied, “I don’t have any confirmation but I’m sure you’re not the one, I think.” – Mia M. Gonzalez/Rappler.

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