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Ex-cop accuses Duterte of protecting 2 persons 'linked to drug trade'

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Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://news-workbench-api.abs-cbn.com/api/upload-raw/20241107131120/38164dbd7ede596bb05dc440ad31e5f39aa14062a9e3015e908d0ed0ab201d70.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dii" alt="Then-President Rodrigo Duterte, accompanied by businessman Michael Yang (2nd from right) and members of his delegation and Chinese officials, in Beijing, China on October 19, 2016.Toto Lozano, Malacanang Photo/file" style="width:960px"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Then-President Rodrigo Duterte, accompanied by businessman Michael Yang (2nd from right) and members of his delegation and Chinese officials, in Beijing, China on October 19, 2016.<em id="isPasted">Toto Lozano, Malacanang Photo/file</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA - Former police colonel Eduardo Acierto told the House Quad Committee on Thursday that former President Rodrigo Duterte is “protecting” two individuals who are allegedly linked to illegal drug trade.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/11/7/-biktima-kami-ng-davao-mafia-former-customs-agent-cries-1712">READ: &#x27;Biktima kami ng Davao mafia&#x27;: Former Customs agent cries</a></div><p>Acierto claimed that these individuals were former Presidential Economic Adviser Michael Yang and a certain Allan Lim.</p><p>“Sa inyong imbestigasyon, talagang nasisiguro n’yo na may koneksyon ang dating Pangulo sa mga iligal na gawain ni Michael Yang at ni Allan Lim?” Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. asked.</p><p>“Sigurado po ako, dahil doon sa nangyari sa akin at nangyari sa mga kasamahan ko, very obvious po na siya ‘yung nag-protect. Pinrotektahan niya si Michael Yang at si Allan Lim,&quot; Acierto replied.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/11/7/acierto-inakusahan-si-duterte-na-protektor-ni-michael-yang-2042">READ: Acierto inakusahan si Duterte na protektor ni Michael Yang</a></div><p>&quot;Noong hindi nila ma-dispute ‘yung aking report, kasi supported naman ng mga dokumento… Ang ginawa nila, sinira kami. Naglabas sila ng white paper against us. Ginawan kami ng matrix,” he added.</p><p>He also claimed that former police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) officials ignored the confidential report he submitted in 2017 linking Yang to the illegal drugs.</p><p>Acierto alleged that a bounty was even placed on his head.</p><p>“Actually kinasuhan po nila ako. Mayroon po akong warrant of arrest kaya po nagtatago ako, at mayroon pong nakapataong sa akin na P10-15 million para po mapatay nila ako,” he told the mega-panel.</p><p>“Sino ang may pakana na patungan ang ulo mo?” Rep. Johnny Pimentel asked.</p><p>“Si Presidente Duterte po at saka si Bong Go… Dahil doon sa ginawa kong report,” Acierto replied.</p><p>Senator Bong Go has described Acierto’s allegations as “rehashed, perjured and baseless”. Go said he does not know Acierto, and believes his statements are part of &quot;black propaganda&quot; as elections near.</p><p>“Hindi ko kilala yang si Mr. Acierto, hindi ako interesado sa kanya, wala akong idea at all sa sinasabi niya, at walang katotohanan din naman ang mga pahayag niya laban sa akin. Sayang lang oras natin kung pagtutuunan ko pa siya ng pansin,” the senator said.</p><p>“Ngayong papalapit na ang eleksyon, expect more black propaganda mula sa mga gusto lang manira ng iba para sa sarili nilang mga interes. Nakakalungkot na binibigyan ito ng pahintulot ng Quad Comm,” he added.</p><p>A former PDEA chief also said Acierto had no evidence against Yang.</p><p>“Walang ebidensya against Michael Yang. Paano ko siya isasangkot kung walang ebidensya? It will not stand in court,” PDEA Director General Wilkins Villanueva told the Quad Comm.</p><p>Duterte was invited to the Quad Comm hearing for the second time on Thursday, but once again he did not show up.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NLzzetL6vDM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Former Police Colonel Eduardo Acierto told the House Quad Committee on Thursday that former President Rodrigo Duterte is “protecting” two individuals who are allegedly linked to illegal drug trade.</p>

Former Police Colonel Eduardo Acierto told the House Quad Committee on Thursday that former President Rodrigo Duterte is “protecting” two individuals who are allegedly linked to illegal drug trade.