Ex-PNP chiefs slam PAGCOR’s Villanueva for reporting ‘link’ to Alice Guo

A group of former chiefs of the Philippine National Police (PNP), who called themselves "Council of Chiefs,' on Tuesday called out PAGCOR official Raul Villanueva for his statement that an ex-PNP head helped Alice Guo leave the country. 

“This is a sweeping accusation which maligns and brings dishonor to all of us, former Chiefs, who have dedicated the best years of our lives in the service of the Filipino nation,” the group said in statement read by Senator and ex-PNP chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa during a Senate hearing into the illegal POGO activities.

“Although we are now retired, we continuously uphold our integrity to the highest standards and our solemn pledge to serve and protect our country and people,” it added. 

In a previous Senate hearing, Villanueva, who used to head the communication electronic information service of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CEISSAFP), said they had received reports that a former PNP chief was part of Guo's "monthly payroll.”

The said former PNP chief also had helped Guo leave the country, he added.

However, Villanueva said the information was still being verified. 

“As a retired general himself, schooled in the Philippine Military Academy's tradition of producing an "Officer and a Gentleman", it is incumbent upon himself, in the interest of transparency, fairness and justice, to identity this rogue former PNP chief to clear the names of those not involved,” the statement further stated. 

“However, if the information turns out false after validating the report, we hereby demand a public apology, no less, from the same officer,” it  added.  

Villanueva was present at Tuesday's hearing, while the statement of the "Council of Chiefs" was read by Dela Rosa.  

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Monday said Villanueva told them that his statement was just a rumor.

“Categorically sinabi niya talaga sa akin yun ay rumors lang at wala siyang basehan. Kaya nagulat siya kung bakit naging malaking issue ito,” CIDG chief Police Major General Leo Francisco said.

(Earlier, I spoke with Brigadier General Raul Villanueva. He categorically told me that it was just rumors and he had no basis. So he was surprised why it became such a big issue.)

The PNP has already launched a probe into the issue. —VAL, GMA Integrated News