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| Alleged Filipino drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, left, is presented to the media by Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa. Philstar/File photo |
MANILA, Philippines - Faced with allegations of doing a favor for a "kumpare," Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa should reveal the identity of the high ranking official who called him to reinstate a police chief, Malacañang said on Friday.
In a press briefing, Communications Assistant Secretary Marie Banaag said it’s dela Rosa's obligation to explain these matters following his own admission that a "higher power" ordered the reinstatement of Superintendent Marvin Marcos as Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief in Region 8.
Marcos led the raid in the Baybay City, Leyte jail that resulted in the death of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa last November 5.
When asked if President Rodrigo Duterte would remove the high ranking official from office, Banaag replied that they would first determine the identity of dela Rosa's "kumpare" before taking any action.
“Alamin po natin muna kung sino si ‘kumpare’ kasi malaking bagay iyan na malaman ng publiko," said Banaag.
"For now, we cannot comment on that kung ano gagawin ng presidente, kung ano ang maaari niyang gawin at doon sa gravity ng ginawa kung meron man at kung ano ang impluwensya ng tumawag sa kanya,” she added.
Earlier, Sen. Leila De Lima pointed at Presidential Management Staff head Christopher "Bong" Go as the “higher official” who called dela Rosa to reinstate the CIDG chief.
The senator said the information came from a reliable source and that the order was already an "open secret" among PNP officials.
Go has long been assistant to Duterte even when he was mayor of Davao City.
The Palace official denied his involvement in the reinstatement of Marcos, saying these are "pure hearsay and [are] unsubstantiated." - Kristine Daguno-Bersamina
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