“DO NOT be afraid, I do not receive drug money.”
This was the message of President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday afternoon (December 12) during the awarding ceremonies of the Outstanding Men and Women of 2016 held at the Palace’s Rizal Hall.
Duterte issued the statement to give the public an assurance that he is not accepting money collected from illegal drug sale, despite his order to Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronal dela Rosa to reinstate Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Eastern Visayas Director Superintendent Marvin Marcos.
Prior to his remark, Duterte in his speech apparently said that he had to order Marcos’ reinstatement because he wants to trace roots on how the drug proliferates in the country.
“I imposed my order to Bato (Dela Rosa) because I have control of the police and the military. I guarantee you, there was nothing from me but I was just trying to figure out something there,” the President said.
“I could not really find out if there are different networks or just the work of one or two or three. So I have to study more. There was nothing to it. Do not be afraid, I do not receive drug money,” he added.
Marcos and some members of the CIDG-Eastern Visayas had been relieved after Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. was killed when they conducted a search warrant on the mayor for alleged possession of firearms.
Last week, Duterte said he had instructed Dela Rosa not to dismiss Marcos because he found out that he had “positive” links to illegal drugs.
But the President clarified that his instruction was not to reinstate Marcos but to hold the order to sack him.
“It was no reinstatement. Actually, it was to hold the order because I have a purpose there. Do not ask what is it,” Duterte said at the lighting of Christmas tree at the Palace grounds on December 5. “But actually, Marcos was actually removed. He was removed.” (Sunnex)
