The "Council of Chiefs," formed by former chiefs of the Philippine National Police (PNP), has publicly demanded that Raul Villanueva, a senior official of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), name the former police chief who allegedly assisted the former mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, Alice Guo, in leaving the country.
The committee, led by Renato de Villa and Edgar Aglipay, condemned Villanueva's statements in their declaration, describing them as irresponsible and based on unverified information and rumors.
The statement read: "The Council of Chiefs, composed of former chiefs of the Philippine National Police, strongly condemns the irresponsible statements made by retired Brigadier General and current PAGCOR senior official Raul Villanueva during the Senate investigation into illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). These are sweeping allegations that tarnish the reputation of us former chiefs and denigrate the efforts we have made in serving the nation for many years."
At the Senate hearing on September 17, Villanueva claimed that a former PNP chief not only helped Alice Guo flee the Philippines but was also on her "monthly payroll." This statement also offended the current PNP chief, Rommel Francisco Marbil, who stated that it affected the credibility of the entire police organization.
The Council of Chiefs expressed disappointment in Villanueva, emphasizing that as a brigadier general trained at the Philippine Military Academy, he has the responsibility to identify the former PNP chief involved in this matter under the principles of transparency, fairness, and justice, to clear the name of the innocent.
The statement continued: "Should this information be proven false after verification, we demand a public apology from Villanueva, nothing less."
Marbil has ordered a criminal investigation into these allegations by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). He warned that if Villanueva fails to provide evidence, the PNP might take legal action against him.
PNP spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo stated that a meeting between the CIDG and Villanueva has been scheduled for this week. She said: "We hope to initiate the investigation as soon as possible to determine if his statements have any basis. We have a responsibility to clarify this issue to the public."
Fajardo also emphasized that Villanueva was under oath when testifying, thus he has at least a moral obligation to clarify the matter, to treat all former PNP chiefs fairly.
