Former Philippines National Police (PNP) chiefs have expressed concern over unverified reports that one of their own allegedly received bribes from Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
The comments were made by Senator Ronald dela Rosa, revealed on Wednesday. This concern emerged after Raul Villanueva, a senior vice president for security at the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), disclosed during a Senate hearing that the intelligence community is investigating whether a former PNP chief was on the payroll of dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo and the illegal POGO operations linked to her.
In a media interview, Senator Ronald dela Rosa, himself a former PNP chief, mentioned that he and other ex-PNP heads discussed the issue in their group chat, where the revelation caused significant worry. “It affected them because it’s a sweeping statement that brought concerns to retired PNP chiefs who are now living peaceful lives, only to be dragged into this controversy,” dela Rosa said.
He expressed dismay that the information, still unverified, was shared in a public forum, as it cast doubts not only among police officers but also in the public. Dela Rosa stressed that such allegations should have been thoroughly verified and the specific individual named before being made public. “Before they released it, they should have confirmed and validated it thoroughly. Once verified, the name should have been revealed,” he said.
Although the information remains unconfirmed, dela Rosa admitted that given the vast amounts of money involved in POGOs, the allegations are not beyond the realm of possibility. If proven true, he believes the former PNP chief in question should face the consequences. “There is no exemption here. If you violated the law, face it,” he stated.
Dela Rosa also mentioned his intention to seek more information from Villanueva regarding the intelligence report during the next Senate hearing on POGOs.
PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has ordered a full investigation into the matter. In a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo shared that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has been tasked with coordinating with PAGCOR to gather further details about the intelligence community’s claims regarding the former PNP chief’s involvement.
“We are investigating 24 of our former PNP chiefs. We are not happy with what Villanueva said.”
PNP Chief General Rommel Marbil
Fajardo emphasized that Marbil is committed to accountability, regardless of the individual’s rank or position. “If proven to have played a role in the escape and worse, received monthly payola, he will be held accountable. There is no sacred cow in this,” Fajardo said. However, she acknowledged that the allegations, according to Villanueva himself, are still considered rumors.
As the country’s 30th top cop, Marbil leads an institution with 24 former PNP chiefs. Fajardo reassured the public that the PNP will stay focused on its responsibilities while working closely with PAGCOR and other agencies to identify the person involved and determine if there is sufficient evidence for the filing of criminal charges.
Several former PNP chiefs have outright denied any links to Alice Guo or her illegal POGO operations. Retired Generals Benjamin Acorda, Rodolfo Azurin, and Oscar Albayalde, in separate messages to the media on Wednesday, all firmly denied receiving bribes or assisting in Guo’s escape from the country.
Albayalde stated that he never encountered or met Guo at any point, while Azurin asserted that he was never involved in any POGO-related activities. Acorda called on Villanueva to name the specific individual he was referring to in the Senate hearing.
Azurin echoed this demand, noting that Villanueva’s statement should not have been made public without proper verification. He criticized the remark as “irresponsible, baseless, and preposterous” and urged that if Villanueva’s claims remain unsubstantiated, the PNP leadership should consider filing charges against him.
Former senator and ex-PNP chief Panfilo Lacson weighed in, stating that it is not surprising for rogue police officers or government officials to be implicated in illegal activities, given the wide influence and connections of Alice Guo and her group. However, Lacson found the allegation involving a former PNP chief particularly alarming.
“If the intelligence reports shared by the PAGCOR official are credible, it’s not only alarming but reprehensible,” Lacson said. He called on intelligence and investigation agencies to thoroughly pursue the matter, leave no stone unturned, and ensure that any individuals involved face criminal charges and appropriate punishment.
