Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) senior vice president Raul Villanueva apologized Tuesday for disclosing an unverified information about a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, who was allegedly involved in the escape of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo.
His apology came a week after he mentioned during a Senate hearing that a former top PNP official allegedly accepted money to help facilitate the illegal exit of Guo and her siblings.
Senator Ronald dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, confronted Villanueva about it after the lawmaker read a statement from the ‘Council of Chiefs’—a group of former top cops—who called out the ex-military general over his “sweeping accusation.”
“I don’t want to malign our chief PNPs. I apologize if my words were interpreted by the former PNP chiefs like that. But I hold them in respect because each of these chief PNPs has left their own legacy within the PNP institution,” Villanueva said.
Villanueva, a retired general who used to head the communication electronic information service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CEISAFP), explained that he emphasized during the last Senate hearing that the information was still being verified.
“As I have stated last Senate hearing, I considered it as rumor. In fact, I dismissed it as rumor because I don’t have any confirmation at all. I don’t have any verified data,” he said.
“Therefore, it has no bearing at all yet because I don’t have any verified information or confirmation from other sources. That’s why I want to ask other people but I came up with nothing.”
Dela Rosa then told Villanueva that this situation must serve as a lesson for him and others. “We need to be careful not to share information like that because many people who shouldn’t be affected will be affected by unverified reports,” the senator said.
“At the very least, you have the integrity to acknowledge your mistake in disclosing that information, and for that, I commend you. On behalf of the council of retired Philippine National Police chiefs, I would like to express our gratitude for your noble behavior. Indeed, you have proven yourself to be a true officer and a gentleman,” Dela Rosa added.
The “Council of Chiefs’ earlier issued the statement calling out Villanueva.
“Although we are now retired, we continuously uphold our integrity to the highest standards and our solemn pledge to serve and protect our country and people,” the group said. Viillanueva said they had received reports that a former PNP chief was part of Guo’s “monthly payroll.”
The said former PNP chief also had helped Guo leave the country, he added.
However, Villanueva said the information was still being verified.
“As a retired general himself, schooled in the Philippine Military Academy’s tradition of producing an “Officer and a Gentleman”, it is incumbent upon himself, in the interest of transparency, fairness and justice, to identity this rogue former PNP chief to clear the names of those not involved,” the statement further stated.
“However, if the information turns out false after validating the report, we hereby demand a public apology, no less, from the same officer,” it added.
The PNP has already launched an investigation to its 24 former chiefs of the PNP allegedly involved in the issue. With Vince Lopez
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Villanueva sorry for tagging ex-PNP chiefs in Guo escape.”
