PNP group confirms giving security to drug suspect caught with P10M worth of shabu

The PNP Police Security Protection Group has confirmed that it assigned police officers to secure the daughter of convicted drug dealer Yu Yuk Lai.

PNP-PSPG head Chief Superintendent Joel Crisostomo Garcia said his office was unaware that Diane Yu Uy was the daughter of a convicted drug and that she herself was involved in the illegal drug trade.

Uy was the subject of a drug raid at her condominium unit near Malacañang on Monday.

Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency seized P10 million worth of drugs from her.

Police Office 3 Walter Vidad, who was assigned by the PNP-PSPG as Uy's security detail, was also arrested.

He has since been relieved of his post and is now the subject of investigation.

Garcia said Uy first requested for police security in 2010 after she was abducted in 2006. Her request was granted in 2014.

He said a threat assessment was conducted by the PNP Directorate for Intelligence.

“After the request of Uy, what we did is we request for an assessment to be conducted by the Directorate for Intelligence to determine if there was imminent danger in her life based on..kidnap victim kasi siya at that time,” Garcia told reporters.

Uy and her sister Joann were kidnapped on May 21, 2006 in Edsa Central Mall, Shaw Boulevard.

They were released seven days later. The suspects have yet to be arrested

Garcia said the PNP-PSPG no longer conducted a thorough background check on Uy after the threat on her life was validated by the directorate.

“Wala siyang criminal record that time. Actually wala namang sinasabing pagkakamali," Garcia said.

"hindi ko masabing there was lapse in the conduct of the assessment kasi hindi naman complete background check ang ginagawa but conducting validation based on the reports,” he added.

“So based on that validation ire-recommend namin ang security detail, pagka positive ‘yung threat assessment, for the approval of the chief,” Garcia said.l

He said they were not aware that she is the daughter of a convicted drug dealer.

“Hindi lumabas sa report. There’s no complete background check,” Garcia said.

Uy is said to renew her request for security detail every six months.

“The request is renewable every six months so dadaan sa same process, she has to apply for the availment of police security personnel, she has to submit application letter and affidavit that she is under threat,” Garcia said.

PO2 Faizal Sawadjaan, also of PSPG, is assigned with Uy’s sister, Joann, based on the letter request they sent to PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa and Garcia early this year.

Garcia said Uy had been requesting for Vidad since 2015.

“Normally kasi based on trust and confidence, ‘yung mga applicant nating VIPs laging nirerequest nila ‘yung the same person,” Garcia said.

Garcia said he didn't think Vidad knew any of Uy's alleged illegal activities.

“Kasi kung may alam sila I believe magrereport iyan sa amin. That was our instruction so kung meron silang malalaman na wrongdoings o illegal activities done in the process, they have to report it otherwise liable sila,” Garcia said.

However, he said the PSPG was investigating Vidad's role in Uy's alleged drug activities.

“Pinate-check ko iyong kanyang alleged involvement kung meron man. Magiging part ng investigation yan. We have to find out kung meron siyang involvement or somehow nagdevelop yung kanilang rapport since four years siyang police security personnel ni Diana Uy,” Garcia said.

Because of the incident, Garcia said the PSPG would amend its policy and would conduct a thorough background check on those requesting security detail.

“Normally kasi what is being conducted is based on the police reports ‘yung pag validate namin, So siguro with this experience isasama namin talaga ang full information for the availment, we should have full background check,” Garcia said.

“It is not yet the policy pero gagawin na namin yung conduct of complete background investigation sa individuals requesting for police protection. Pwedeng DI, pwedeng kami will conduct validation,” he added. —NB, GMA News