PAGCOR Official Apologizes to Former PNP Chiefs Over Rumors of Alleged Involvement in Alice Guo Escape

September 25, 2024 Philippines Crime & Legal

Raul Villanueva, senior vice president of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), issued a public apology to former Philippine National Police (PNP) chiefs who have been affected by his earlier pronouncement that a former top cop was allegedly involved in Alice Guo’s escape.

According to the Inquirer, this apology came during the September 24, 2024 Senate panel investigation into allegations surrounding the escape of the dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor.

The confrontation arose when Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, a former PNP chief himself, questioned Villanueva about his earlier statements suggesting that an ex-PNP chief may have been involved in Guo’s escape. Dela Rosa referenced the remarks of Police Major General Leo Francisco, chief of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, who indicated that Villanueva admitted his claims were based on unverified rumors.

“According to PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Chief Police Major General Leo Francisco, kayo raw ay umamin na ang inyong sinabi sa Senate hearing last week ay purely rumors lang. Is that correct?” dela Rosa asked.

(“According to PNP CIDG chief police major general Leo Francisco, you admitted that your pronouncement in the hearing last week is purely based on rumors. Is that correct?”)

In response, Villanueva clarified that he regarded his earlier comments as rumors and had not obtained any concrete evidence to support them. He emphasized the importance of verified information, stating, “It’s just unfortunate, Sir, na hindi pa confirmed itong mga initial information that’s why unconfirmed information is considered not an intelligence data, not actionable at all, therefore it is not yet valid.”

(“It’s just unfortunate, Sir, that this initial information is not yet confirmed. That’s why unconfirmed information is considered not an intelligence data, not actionable at all, therefore it is not yet valid.”)

Dela Rosa took this moment to remind Villanueva, a former intelligence officer, about the dangers of disseminating unverified information. “Kaya nga I qualified it earlier, in the last Senate hearing, na raw information ito. I don’t want to put malice on our [former] chief PNPs,” Villanueva added.

(“That’s why I qualified it earlier, in the last Senate hearing, that this is raw information. I don’t want to put malice on our [former] chief PNPs.”)

Villanueva expressed respect for the former PNP chiefs, acknowledging their legacies. He continued, “I’m sorry if ‘yan ang pagkaka interpret ng mga chief PNPs natin, but I hold them in respect because each of these chief PNP has their own legacy in the PNP institution.”

(“I’m sorry if that’s how our chief PNPs interpreted it, but I hold them in respect because each of these chief PNP has their own legacy in the PNP institution.”)

When pressed by dela Rosa for a clear apology, Villanueva confirmed, “Yes, your honor, to say it very bluntly.”

This incident has raised further scrutiny, with police chief Rommel Marbil stating that an investigation is underway involving all 24 former PNP chiefs to assess any potential involvement in the escape scheme. Marbil remarked, “We are not happy with what he said.”