Ex-cop Acierto committed ‘high treason’: Duterte

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) campaign rally at the Caraga State University in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte on April 21, 2019. ARMAN BAYLON/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte accused former Senior Supt. Eduardo Acierto of committing “high treason” for allegedly selling weapons to the New People’s Army (NPA).

In a speech in Agusan del Norte on Sunday (April 21), Duterte called the dismissed cop “foolish” for selling AK-47s to communist rebels.

“Acierto, that foolish government worker, was the one who bought several AK-47 in a gun shop and sold it to the NPA,” Duterte said.

“That is high treason. You are police(man) but you supplied arms to the enemy,” he added.

Duterte earlier revealed that Acierto was dismissed from his post for his involvement in the disappearance of more than 1,000 rifles sold to the communist group.

Previously, Acierto linked former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang to the illegal drug trade.

The Philippine National Police (PNP), however, said Yang is not included in any watch list or investigation of a person with links to illegal drugs.

Duterte himself slammed Acierto for making unfounded allegations, stressing that Yang “is a plain businessman and has solid integrity”.

The President also called Acierto a “corrupt” policeman allegedly involved in kidnapping, including that of a South Korean national killed inside Camp Crame.