Duterte says he didn’t want CIDG-8 chief Marcos sacked despite drug links

President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday said that he did not want Supt. Marvin Marcos removed from his post in the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group so that he could further be observed for alleged links to illegal drug operations.

Duterte made the remark days after PNP chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa admitted reinstating Marcos as chief of the CIDG in Eastern Visayas after relieving him of duty because of his supposed involvement in the drug trade.

In a speech during the graduation of the PNP-Highway Patrol Group's motorcycle riders, Duterte also appeared to clear Chief Supt. Asher Dolina, one of the officers suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa implicated.

"I'd like to make it public. Kaya sabi ko as it is kayo diyan. Doon ko nalaman na si Dolina malinis. Si Marcos, may tama. Kaya huwag mong galawin kasi gusto kong tignan," Duterte said of the when the concerned officers were being probed.

"Kung biglain mo, eh napuputol ang nagbi-build up ng kaso. Alam na natin na before Espinosa na wala siya sa unang listahan," he added.

But Duterte said retaining Marcos was Dela Rosa's call.

"Whether or not you retain them, it does not really matter. Prerogative ni Bato iyan eh. Kahit na sabihin mo na kriminal iyan. Teka muna. Let the law take its own..." Duterte said.

"Huwag n'yong tanggalin... Nagpo-program pa kami dito kung totoo o hindi," he added.

"Second, low morale ang tao. Ang ibang pulis, hindi nila nalaman na we're doing the investigative work. Doing that, it will create a ripple in the entire country. Hindi ko masabi na relax lang kayo. We were really building the case."

Dela Rosa earlier revealed a "kumpare" from Malacañang called to ask that he reinstate Marcos.

In his speech, Duterte also belied Senator Leila de Lima's claim that Special Assistant to the President Sec. Christopher "Bong" Go was the one who called Dela Rosa to reinstate Marcos.

The PNP chief has also denied that it was Go who called him.

Dela Rosa said the caller was also not Duterte, who he said was his ninong or godfather.

Following his reinstatement, Marcos was eventually removed from his post after he figured in early November in the police operation that led to the death of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, Kerwin's father. —NB, GMA News