Ex-PDEA chief, cop ordered detained in House

Metro Manila, Philippines — Former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Wilkins Villanueva and a police officer who said he was coerced by two House quad-committee chairmen have been ordered detained.

PCol Hector Grijaldo has been invited by the House quad committee but has not shown up four times already.

Officials from the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hospital said Grijaldo underwent a shoulder surgery on Dec. 2 and has been confined in a Pasig health facility.

“Does that make him unable to attend mga hearings kagaya nito [like this]?” lead panel chairman and Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Ace Barbers asked.

PNP General Hospital Orthopedic Head PLtCol Leonell Garcia replied: “In my orthopedic point of view, patient, yes, may be able to attend this hearing but depende po ‘yun kung papayagan siya ng attending physician. Hindi ko nakita ‘yung kanyang medical record which is hindi po sa amin – hindi po kami pinayagan ng hospital na makita.”

[Translation: In my orthopedic point of view, the patient may be able to attend this hearing but it depends whether or not he will be allowed by his attending physician. I have not seen his medical record. The hospital did not allow us to see it.]

Grijaldo will be detained in the House premises until the committee completes its probe.

He earlier testified at the Senate that he was forced by Santa Rosa, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez and Manila 6th District Rep. Benny Abante to corroborate former PCol Royina Garma’s testimony on the presence of a drug war launched by former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Garma’s legal counsels, who were present during the meeting among Grijaldo and the chairpersons, denied his claim.

Meanwhile, Villanueva was cited in contempt for refusing to answer the panel members’ question.

Villanueva initially said that he did not interrogate Jed Sy, the wife of Allan Sy, a man who was involved in illegal drugs.

He then said that he is responsible for his subordinates.

“You're lying. Just a few minutes ago, sa harap ko, sinabi mo na that authority was delegated to your personnel. Nung tinanong ka ni Chairman [Romeo] Acop, inamin mo,” Abang Lingkod Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano said.

[Translation: Just a few minutes ago, in front of me, you said that authority was delegated to your personnel. When Chairman Acop asked you, you admitted you have command responsibility.]

The committee decided to implement Villanueva’s detention on Jan. 13, when Congress resumes session after the Chrstmas break.

The 13th hearing of the quad-panel is the last one for the year.