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Bato, Go, PDEA's Aquino ‘protecting’ Michael Yang's group —Acierto


Dismissed police official Eduardo Acierto has linked more officials  close to President Rodrigo Duterte to the illegal drug trade, this time including senatorial candidates Bong Go and Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, as well as Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) director General Aaron Aquino.

In a video clip aired on Jun Veneracion's report for State of the Nation with Jessica Soho, Acierto claimed that Duterte, together with Go, Dela Rosa and Aquino are "protecting" a group led by former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang, who he had earlier linked to illegal drug activities.

"Ito po ay isang pagpapatunay na pino-protektahan nila ni Presidente Rodrigo Roa Duterte, ni Bong Go, ni General Bato dela Rosa, ni DG Aquino, ang grupo ni Michael Yang," Acierto said.

The ex-cop lamented that, instead of launching an investigation into Yang's alleged drug links, they chose to come after him instead.

"Imbes na imbestigahan si Michael Yang at 'yang grupo niya, ako ang kanilang inimbestigahan at pinapakasuhan," Acierto said.

Dela Rosa, former Philippine National Police chief, denied Acierto's fresh accusation, maintaining he always followed Duterte's long-standing order to go after drug criminals.

"Eh kung confirmed po 'yan na talagang involved, eh di inupakan ko na 'yan. Dahil na instruction sa akin ni Presidente, 'wala akong pakialam, sabi niya, kahit sino 'yan, na paaligid-aligid sa akin, kahit na relative ko 'yan, kahit anak ko 'yan, kapag involved sa droga, upakan mo'," Dela Rosa said.

Go, who was Duterte's long-time personal aide, likewise denied he was "protecting" drug-linked personalities.

"Wala kaming pino-proteksyunan na nasa droga at kung nasa droga ka, lumayo ka sa'min. Delikado buhay mo," he said.

Malacañang and PDEA Director General Aquino have yet to issue their statements as of this posting.

Duterte, who blasted Acierto for his earlier accusations, has also vouched for Yang's innocence. —Margaret Claire Layug/LDF, GMA News

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