‘Narco general’ can still leave Phl – PNP

Retired police general Marcelo Garbo, despite being named by President Duterte himself as an alleged protector of drug lords, can still leave the country since no case has been filed against him, a Philippine National Police (PNP) official said yesterday.

“While there is no case filed against a citizen, no law can prevent him from leaving the country,” Inspector Bryan Gregorio, who heads the PNP public information office’s operations unit, said during a forum in Quezon City in response to a question about Garbo.

He said the courts, not the National Police Commission ( Napolcom), will deal with Garbo’s case since he has retired from the police service.

Gregorio said the PNP has yet to file formal charges against Garbo, adding that the case will be filed once the evidence is available.

He said the PNP is happy with the progress of the Napolcom’s investigation against two of five PNP generals linked by Duterte to the illegal drug trade.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno said Thursday there is prima facie evidence to justify the filing against two active PNP generals linked to illegal drugs, but did not name names.

He hinted they could be former National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Joel Pagdilao and former Quezon City Police District director Chief Superintendent Edgardo Tinio.

Gregorio, meanwhile, announced that the PNP has arrested 4,386 drug suspects, accepted the surrender of 141,659 drug pushers and users and killed 316 suspects from July 1 to 27.

Responding to criticisms on the alleged irregularities in the police anti-drug operations, he encouraged the public to file complaints against the PNP.

“If they firmly believe that there is an irregularity, we welcome them,” he said.

Gregorio assured the public that the PNP is following the “rule of law” and operational procedures prescribed in conducting anti-drug operations.

He said the government has checks and balances – the Commission on Human Rights can process the complaints against the PNP. –

EDD GUMBAN Sen. Cynthia Villar poses with the winners of the Miss Las Piñas Water Lily beauty pageant on Thursday. The winners are, from left, people’s choice awardee Shiela Marie Pielago of Talon 5, second runner-up Monica Belgica of Manuyo 1, grand champion...