PSG denies forcing ex-aide of de Lima to testify

THE Presidential Security Group (PSG) is not forcing its relieved member, Sgt. Jonel Sanchez, to testify against Sen. Leila de Lima over her alleged participation in the so-called Bilibid drug trade.

“We have seen the press conference of Senator De Lima and have come to our attention that she was informed by her asset that her former security aide Sergeant Sanchez was being forced to sign an affidavit… [It] has no basis,” Lt. Col. Michael Aquino said.

Aquino was reacting to de Lima’s statement earlier in the day, accusing the Duterte administration of coercing the witnesses to drag her on the alleged proliferation of drugs in the New Bilibid Prison.

Sanchez was the alleged bagman of de Lima.

He was allegedly receiving P3 million a month from convicted drug lord Herbert Colanggo as drug money collected for de Lima.

In a press conference, de Lima cited a text message forwarded to her by her source on Sept. 22. According to the text, Sanchez and his wife were being forced to implicate her on the drug sale inside the national penitentiary.

Reading the text message, De Lima said, “He (Sanchez) is being forced to sign an affidavit but he said he is innocent and has never met Colanggo. He and his wife, who is also a PSG, are now held in the HQ (headquarters).”

Contrary to the senator’s allegation, Aquino said that to date, Sanchez had not signed any affidavit linking de Lima to narcotics.

“To date, he (Sanchez) has not signed any affidavit to that effect,” Aquino said.