THE Presidential Security Group (PSG) is now investigating the alleged involvement of its member, Sergeant Jonel Sanchez, in the illegal drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.
“Upon hearing the news that he (Sanchez) was implicated, PSG, the command immediately conducted investigation,” Lieutenant Colonel Michael Aquino, spokesman of the PSG, told reporters.
Sanchez’s name floated on Tuesday at the first day of the House probe into the proliferation of drugs inside the national penitentiary.
At the inquiry, convicted drug peddler Herbert Colanggo claimed that starting 2013, he was giving then Justice Secretary and now Senator Leila De Lima a monthly payola worth P3 million through Sanchez, who was her security aide at that time.
Asked if there are rules allowing Sanchez to represent De Lima in any affairs, Aquino said, “I don’t see any rule that we can represent [our principals].”
When President Rodrigo Duterte was sworn into office, Sanchez was assigned as the PSG security detail of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.
Sanchez has been confined to barracks for thorough scrutiny following Colanggos' testimony that he was involved in the illicit drugs.
The PSG’s spokesperson said that based on the description of his fellow PSG members, Sanchez was a “good soldier” to be involved in that kind of operation.
Aquino said that the PSG would not tolerate its members whose actions “are inconsistent with the principles of our organization” but stressed that they have to give Sanchez due process.
He, however, refused to provide further details regarding the PSG's ongoing investigation against Sanchez.
“To ensure his safety, we immediately placed him, confined to barracks so that we can give way for the investigation. Regarding this investigation, we cannot give further details because we thought that it might preempt the investigation that is going on in the House of Representatives,” he said.
Asked if the PSG would allow Sanchez to attend the House inquiry if he was summoned, Aquino said: “If we receive a letter requesting for his presence, we will cooperate.”
“In unison with our people’s clamor for justice and truth, we requested the said person, the said troop to fully cooperate so that we can achieve the truth and justice,” he added. (Sunnex)
