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Rapper Loonie asks Eleazar to launch probe vs. cops who ‘framed’ him during 2019 buy-bust ops

Fliptop star Loonie on Friday asked Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar to launch an investigation against the policemen who “framed” him and four other individuals during a buy-bust operation at a hotel in Makati City in 2019.

“What we humbly and respectfully ask from your office, sir, is bigyan niyo po sana ng atesyon at aksyon ang mga issue na ito at umaasa po ako na makapag-launch ng investigation doon sa mga involved sa kaso namin,” Loonie, whose real name is is Marlon Peroramas, said in a video message posted on his Facebook page.

(What we humbly and respectfully ask from your office, sir, is give this issue attention and action and I am hoping that your office will launch an investigation against those who are involved in our case.)

The rapper asserted that their case is more than just an issue of chain of custody.

“In our case po, it was more than an issue of chain of custody ‘di ba po kasi kahit na i-follow ang chain of custody e kung tinanim din ang mga ebidensiya e parang balewala din po kasi plinanta po nila 'yung drugs e,” he said.

(In our case, it was more than an issue of chain of custody because even if they follow the chain of custody but the pieces of evidence were planted, then the case will also be worthless.)

“Ang tanong: Saan galing ‘yung mga drugs na 'yon? Tapos puro pa po kasinungalingan 'yung sinasabi nu'ng poser buyer at hindi lang po isang judge ang nag-point out nu’n. Tatlong judges and nag-point out nu’n,” Loonie went on.

(The question is where do these drugs come from? Apart from that, the person who pretended to be the buyer are spewing lies and it was even pointed out by three judges.)

The fliptop star said this drug issue has put their lives in danger.

He added that the drug case was even used as an opportunity of some individuals to destroy their reputation.

“Kaya kailangan po namin i-clear ang pangalan namin. We trust you and fully support you in purging the PNP of scalawags. Hindi po ako kaaway at kaya po namin patunayan na isang malaking frame-up itong nangyari sa amin,” Loonie said.

(That is why we need to clear our name. We trust you and fully support you in purging the PNP of scalawags. We are not your enemy and we can prove that this is just a big frame up.)

At the early part of the video, the rapper thanked Eleazar for his statement, saying that he welcomes the rapper’s plans to file counter-charges against those who “planted” drugs on them during the buy bust operation.

He also appreciated the PNP chief’s reminder to his subordinates to follow the protocols and chain of custody as this will keep the evidence in tact for the court's evaluation.

GMA News Online asked Eleazar and PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Ronaldo Olay for their statements on Loonie's appeal but they have yet to respond as of posting time.

Last Tuesday, Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 64 granted the rapper’s camp plea to dismiss the drug case filed against Loonie, his sister-manager Idyll and three other individuals, due to the police’s failure to comply with the chain of custody rule.

A day after the dismissal of the case, Loonie issued a statement, saying “I have never sold drugs in my entire life” — a statement that he also told the Makati City court during the proceedings of their drug case.

Loonie and his sister said they are currently consulting their lawyers regarding the possibility of filing counter charges against individuals who allegedly planted evidence during the police operation.

On Thursday, Eleazar said the PNP is now reviewing the protocols to make sure that the rule on chain of custody is being observed during police operations.

In September 2019, Loonie and his staff were nabbed in a buy-bust operation at the basement parking area of a hotel in Barangay Poblacion, Makati City.

Authorities seized 15 sachets of kush or high-grade marijuana hidden in a box that was made to look like a gift.

Prior to the arrest, the authorities said Loonie was already under monitoring for allegedly making deals before and during his gigs in Makati.

Since his arrest, Loonie denied all the allegations against him and argued that he was framed.

The hashtag #FreeLoonie trended on Twitter following the arrest of the fliptop star. —KG, GMA News