‘Duterte’s nephew’ apologizes to police, promises to stop using PRO 7’s patch
A man who identified himself as a nephew of President Rodrigo Duterte denied allegations that he and his group were behind a land row in Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City last week.
In a press conference yesterday, Rey Duterte Abad told reporters that he and his group, the New Young Pilipino Defenders (NYPD), were not armed when they helped Dionesia Bacalso in enforcing her right to the 3,276-square meter property they were occupying. The property is being contested by Lucinda Yongco.
Abad, who said he is a professional marksman based in the US and a supporter of Duterte, said they were there last Friday after Bacalso sought their help in implementing a resolution issued by the Talisay City Prosecutor’s Office, dismissing the trespassing and grave coercion case filed by Yongco.
While Abad and his group denied that they were posing as policemen, they admitted that the uniforms they were wearing at that time had patches of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7.
He claimed they were allowed to use the PRO7 patches as they were “accredited” by the regional police office as a legitimate force multiplier group.
Abad admitted that he and his group erred when they failed to coordinate with the local police when they assisted Bacalso.
He also went to the office of Talisay City Police Chief Supt. Emerson Dante to apologize.
He and his group also promised to stop using PRO 7’s patches after they were ordered by PRO 7 Director Chief Supt. Noli Taliño.
Abad said his mother is a first degree cousin of Duterte. /